[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 8, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H692-H699]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         EXTENDING NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS TREATMENT TO UKRAINE

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1053) to authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory 
treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of 
Ukraine, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1053

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds as follows:
       (1) Ukraine allows its citizens the right and opportunity 
     to emigrate, free of any heavy tax on emigration or on the 
     visas or other documents required for emigration and free of 
     any tax, levy, fine, fee, or other charge on any citizens as 
     a consequence of the desire of such citizens to emigrate to 
     the country of their choice.
       (2) Ukraine has received normal trade relations treatment 
     since 1992 and has been found to be in full compliance with 
     the freedom of emigration requirements under title IV of the 
     Trade Act of 1974 since 1997.
       (3) Since the establishment of an independent Ukraine in 
     1991, Ukraine has made substantial progress toward the 
     creation of democratic institutions and a free-market 
     economy.
       (4) Ukraine has committed itself to ensuring freedom of 
     religion, respect for rights of minorities, and eliminating 
     intolerance and has been a paragon of inter-ethnic 
     cooperation and harmony, as evidenced by the annual human 
     rights reports of the Organization for Security and 
     Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the United States Department 
     of State.
       (5) Ukraine has taken major steps toward global security by 
     ratifying the Treaty on the Reduction and Limitation of 
     Strategic Offensive Weapons (START I) and the Treaty on the 
     Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, subsequently turning 
     over the last of its Soviet-era nuclear warheads on June 1, 
     1996, and agreeing, in 1998, not to assist Iran with the 
     completion of a program to develop and build nuclear breeding 
     reactors, and has fully supported the United States in 
     nullifying the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty.
       (6) At the Madrid Summit in 1997, Ukraine became a member 
     of the North Atlantic Cooperation Council of the North 
     Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and has been a 
     participant in the Partnership for Peace (PfP) program since 
     1994.
       (7) Ukraine is a peaceful state which established exemplary 
     relations with all neighboring countries, and consistently 
     pursues a course of European integration with a commitment to 
     ensuring democracy and prosperity for its citizens.
       (8) Ukraine has built a broad and durable relationship with 
     the United States and has been an unwavering ally in the 
     struggle against international terrorism that has taken place 
     since the attacks against the United States that occurred on 
     September 11, 2001.
       (9) Ukraine has concluded a bilateral trade agreement with 
     the United States that entered into force on June 23, 1992, 
     and is in the process of acceding to the World Trade 
     Organization (WTO). On March 6, 2006, the United States and 
     Ukraine signed a bilateral market access agreement as a part 
     of the WTO accession process.

     SEC. 2. TERMINATION OF APPLICATION OF TITLE IV OF THE TRADE 
                   ACT OF 1974 TO THE PRODUCTS OF UKRAINE.

       (a) Presidential Determinations and Extension of 
     Nondiscriminatory Treatment.--Notwithstanding any provision 
     of title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2431 et 
     seq.), the President may--
       (1) determine that such title should no longer apply to 
     Ukraine; and
       (2) after making a determination under paragraph (1) with 
     respect to Ukraine, proclaim the extension of 
     nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations 
     treatment) to the products of that country.
       (b) Termination of Applicability of Title IV.--On and after 
     the effective date under subsection (a) of the extension of 
     nondiscriminatory treatment to the products of Ukraine, title 
     IV of the Trade Act of 1974 shall cease to apply to that 
     country.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Thomas) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cardin) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. THOMAS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, this is really an exciting time in which we 
recognize the continuing maturation and involvement of a new nation, 
yet a nation of people who have deserved better over many decades and 
are now beginning to see the fruit of their struggle manifest itself. 
We are asking today in this legislation to recognize that the country 
of Ukraine that has entered into a series of agreements with the United 
States and other countries, and I include an exchange of letters 
between the United States Trade Representative Rob Portman and myself 
as chairman of the Ways and

[[Page H693]]

Means Committee, indicating some certainties as to that agreement, and 
to anxiously await the comments by my colleagues as we recognize that 
the Ukraine, through very difficult economic and political 
transformations, has reached the point of integrating itself into the 
world economy.
                                         House of Representatives,


                                  Committee on Ways and Means,

                                    Washington, DC, March 6, 2006.
     Hon. Rob Portman,
     U.S. Trade Representative,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Ambassador Portman: I understand the United States and 
     Ukraine have concluded the bilateral negotiations on market 
     access issues related to Ukraine's World Trade Organization 
     (WTO) accession. The Committee has received the confidential 
     documents related to the accord, and I congratulate you and 
     your negotiators on a very strong agreement.
       The commitments that Ukraine has made related to market 
     access for goods and services, as well as on sanitary and 
     phytosanitary (SPS) obligations and intellectual property 
     rights, are very important for U.S. exporters and to Members 
     of Congress. It is essential that Ukraine comply fully with 
     all of its WTO commitments. To that end, I write to seek your 
     assurances that you will be steadfast in confirming that 
     Ukraine fully implements all of its commitments as scheduled, 
     and that you will not support its accession unless that is 
     the case.
       I look forward to moving legislation through Congress to 
     grant permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) to Ukraine 
     quickly after the bilateral agreement is signed. 
     Unconditional normal trade relations is a basic tenet of WTO 
     membership, and granting PNTR to Ukraine will allow the 
     United States to benefit from the WTO commitments made by 
     Ukraine. I look forward to your response.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Bill Thomas,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         Executive Office of the President, the United States 
           Trade Representative,
                                    Washington, DC, March 6, 2006.
     Hon. Bill Thomas,
     Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Thomas: Today, the United States and Ukraine 
     signed a bilateral market access agreement as part of the 
     negotiations for Ukraine's accession to the World Trade 
     Organization (WTO). As we have discussed, this agreement is a 
     significant step forward in our commercial relations with 
     Ukraine. In addition to market access commitments that create 
     new opportunities for U.S. exports, Ukraine's recent efforts 
     to address intellectual property (IPR) and sanitary and 
     phytosanitary (SPS) issues are particularly noteworthy 
     evidence of Ukraine's desire to become part of the global 
     trade community.
       The WTO accession negotiations with Ukraine are proceeding 
     on two tracks: (1) bilaterally to open up Ukraine's markets 
     to U.S. exports and investment; and (2) multilaterally to 
     focus on WTO rules issues that relate to matters such as 
     transparency, agriculture, customs, IPRs, state-owned 
     enterprises, and services. The complete WTO accession package 
     will include: (1) the best of Ukraine's commitments made in 
     bilateral negotiations on market access for goods, 
     agriculture, and services; and (2) Ukraine's commitments to 
     revising its trade regime to adhere to WTO rules. These 
     commitments will be included in a multilaterally agreed 
     Protocol of Accession and Report of the Working Party which 
     are analogous to legislation and the committee report on that 
     legislation.
       Ukraine must still complete its bilateral negotiations with 
     other Members as well as the multilateral part of the 
     negotiations. We will continue to work with the Ways and 
     Means Committee and others in Congress as we continue these 
     negotiations. Under WTO rules, the Working Party must 
     approve, by consensus, the final accession package before the 
     General Council can approve the terms for Ukraine's 
     membership in the WTO. We will carefully review Ukraine's 
     implementation of all WTO requirements, including market 
     access commitments and SPS and IPR obligations, prior to 
     accession. This will enable us to have confidence that 
     Ukraine is complying with its SPS commitments to us and will 
     comply fully with all of the commitments that it will assume 
     as a WTO member, thus providing the basis for joining the 
     consensus on Ukraine's terms of accession.
       After the Congress enacts legislation terminating 
     application of the ``Jackson-Vanik'' amendment, the United 
     States will be able to provide permanent normal trade 
     relations (PNTR) treatment to Ukraine. WTO membership for 
     Ukraine means that in addition to our bilateral mechanisms, 
     we will be able to use the WTO to monitor implementation of 
     commitments, and as needed, avail ourselves of the various 
     consultation mechanisms in the Agreement. Finally, should we 
     be unable to resolve our differences, we will have recourse 
     to the Dispute Settlement Understanding.
       I look forward to working with you and other Members of 
     Congress on Ukraine's WTO accession and PNTR legislation.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Rob Portman.

  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, first, let me thank Mr. Thomas for the 
manner in which this legislation has been brought forward, in allowing 
us to vote on the permanent normal trade relations with the Ukraine.
  Mr. Speaker, 1 year ago, in my capacity as ranking member at the 
U.S.-Helsinki Commission, I traveled to the Ukraine with my colleague 
and chairman, Congressman Chris Smith. We made our trip shortly after 
the historic Orange Revolution, and I was impressed by the commitment 
of the Ukraine's new leaders to consolidate democracy, promote respect 
for human rights, and modernize the country's economy.

                              {time}  1200

  I also was impressed by the leader's commitment to further integrate 
Ukraine into the European and Euro-Atlantic community.
  I am not the only one to have been impressed by Ukraine's efforts. 
International organizations such as Freedom House have acknowledged 
Ukraine's progress of recent years in protecting the political rights 
and civil liberties of its citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe Congress should demonstrate its support for 
Ukraine's reforms by approving legislation today that would grant 
Ukraine's permanent normal trade relation status, and, therefore, take 
it one step closer to becoming a member of the WTO.
  The passage of PNTR for Ukraine will also show Congress's support for 
the efforts of the Yushchenko government to ensure that the upcoming 
March 26 parliamentary elections will be free and fair. I am pleased 
that my Helsinki Commission colleague from Florida, Congressman Alcee 
Hastings, has been appointed as the OSCE PA Special Coordinator for our 
election observation mission there, and I look forward to reviewing the 
mission's findings and reports.
  So far, the pre-election process, while not completely problem free, 
has been dramatically different from the period leading up to the 
fraudulent elections of November 2004, which ignited the Orange 
Revolution. In the 2004 elections, the Ukraine and government 
instructed the media about how to cover the elections and 
systematically abused government resources. In contrast, the upcoming 
elections are expected to be free and fair.
  Mr. Speaker, I also want to take a few moments to comment on the 
issues of the underlying legislation we are considering today. The 
issue Congress is formally considering today is whether to withdraw the 
application of the Jackson-Vanik amendment to Ukraine and thereby grant 
Ukraine permanent normal trade relations status. The Jackson-Vanik 
amendment, which was adopted in 1975, was intended to provide a way for 
the United States to deny trade benefits to countries that are denying 
the rights of its citizens, particularly religious minorities.
  Mr. Speaker, in light of the commitment that Ukraine has demonstrated 
in protecting the rights of religious minorities, I think it is 
appropriate that we withdraw the application of the Jackson-Vanik 
amendment to Ukraine.
  Since independence, each successive Government of Ukraine has 
demonstrated a consistent commitment to defending the religious and 
ethnic rights of all of the people of the Ukraine. Current President 
Victor Yushchenko has continued this unambiguous commitment by pledging 
to bring minority groups together and reconciling historic conflicts. 
The International Religious Freedom Report of 2005 published by the 
United States State Department recognizes, ``President Yushchenko has, 
since taking office, spoken publicly about his vision of a Ukraine in 
which religious freedom flourishes and people are genuinely free to 
worship as they please.''
  It must be understood, however, that there remain issues of concern, 
most notably the return of communal religious property that was 
confiscated during the Soviet era, and the anti-Semitic activities of 
Ukraine's largest private university, the Interregional Academy of 
Personnel Management.
  Mr. Speaker, I have raised both of these issues in recent days with 
the Ambassador from the Ukraine and from other Ukrainian officials, and 
I have been impressed by their commitment to address these issues. 
Ukrainian officials have assured me that the

[[Page H694]]

government is committed to continuing its effort to return communal 
property and that the Government of Ukraine will continue to condemn at 
the highest levels the anti-Semitic activities of the Interregional 
Academy of Personnel Management and any other anti-Semitic activities.
  Mr. Speaker, given these concerns, I am pleased that the legislation 
we are considering today highlights the importance of Ukraine's 
continuing commitment to ensure freedom of religion, respect for 
minorities, and eliminating intolerance.
  Shortly I will yield time to the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Lantos), the ranking member of the International Relations Committee 
and our leader in Congress on the issue of human rights, democracy and 
religious freedom. Mr. Lantos is the leader in Congress of our Task 
Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, and I want to thank him for working with 
me, the Helsinki Commission, and the OSCE as we have battled against 
the rise of anti-Semitism globally, and particularly within the OSCE 
states.
  Ukraine has agreed to certain commitments to fight anti-Semitism, as 
have all of the 55 participating states of the OSCE. And let me make 
this crystal clear: today we intend to hold Ukraine to these 
commitments, including the responsibility to denounce anti-Semitism 
statements and vigorously enforce hate crime laws and promote diversity 
and tolerance in school curriculum. I am pleased that section 1, 
paragraph 4 of the resolution before us references these OSCE 
commitments.
  Let me make a personal reflection here. During my visit to Ukraine 
last year, I visited two monuments, the Ukraine Famine Memorial, 
honoring the millions of victims of Stalin's genocidal 1932 and 1933 
famine, and Babi Yar, where hundreds of thousands of Jews and others 
were massacred by the Nazis during World War II.
  Mr. Speaker, it was a moving experience for me to lay a wreath at 
these sites in the Ukraine. These horrific events were a testimony to 
the cruelty and intolerance of dictatorships, and I do believe that 
today's independent Ukraine now understands that respect for human 
rights and a commitment to democracy and tolerance are the best 
inoculation against the horrors like the famine and Babi Yar.
  The United States Government, the Helsinki Commission, and the OSCE 
look forward to working with a democratic Ukraine as they continue to 
build their institutions of democracy, establish the rule of law, 
protect human rights and religious freedom and combat corruption.
  I commend Ukraine for its progress in promoting political and 
economic freedom for its citizens and its integration into the global 
rules-based economy. I urge my colleagues to join me in demonstrating 
support for the Ukraine's efforts by voting today to grant the country 
permanent normal trade status.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased by the statement of my friend from 
Maryland, and am also pleased to underscore the fact that my colleague 
and friend from California and I will stand together all the time in 
making sure that the conditions under which we examine and approve 
normal trade relations follow what should be a model. But, indeed, if 
you have to make sure it is followed, it will be followed.
  Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to the chief 
sponsor of H.R. 1053, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Gerlach).
  Mr. Speaker, prior to recognizing him, I yield the balance of my time 
to the chairman of the Trade Subcommittee, the gentleman from Florida 
(Mr. Shaw), and ask unanimous consent that he control the remainder of 
the time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Feeney). Without objection, the 
gentleman from Florida will control the time.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from 
California, Chairman Thomas, and his staff for their cooperation in 
bringing H.R. 1053 to the floor today. Also I would like to thank my 
colleague from Pennsylvania, Mr. Weldon, and the other cochairs of the 
Ukrainian Caucus, Mr. Bartlett, Ms. Kaptur and Mr. Levin, for all of 
their hard work in helping to generate such a broad, bipartisan 
coalition of support for H.R. 1053.
  Most importantly I would like to thank the Jackson-Vanik Graduation 
Coalition and all the leaders of the Ukrainian-American community in 
southeastern Pennsylvania and throughout the country for their tireless 
efforts in support of this legislation, and commend them on the 
tremendous job they have done promoting the progress the Ukraine has 
made over the past few years.
  During the Orange Revolution of 2004, the whole world watched as the 
people of Ukraine protested allegations of massive corruption, voter 
intimidation and direct electoral fraud. They sent a clear message that 
regardless of these obstacles, they wanted and supported with their 
votes a pro-democracy, pro-reform candidate for President, Victor 
Yushchenko. This election highlighted the commitment of the Ukraine 
people to a free and prosperous democracy, and the country overnight 
became a role model for the entire region.
  Since the election, the government has remained committed to broad-
based reform and economic liberalization. This commitment was evident 
most recently on Monday, March 6, when the United States and Ukraine 
signed a bilateral WTO Agreement on Market Access, a major step towards 
Ukraine ultimately joining the WTO.
  H.R. 1053 is another important step for Ukraine as it becomes a 
partner in the global economy. The bill lifts the Jackson-Vanik 
restrictions and authorizes President Bush to permanently extend normal 
trade relations treatment to Ukraine.
  The United States Congress adopted the Jackson-Vanik legislation in 
1974 to halt normal trade relations between the United States and those 
countries that restricted free immigration, especially for persons of 
the Jewish faith. Over 30 years later, virtually everyone agrees that 
Ukraine's record on freedom of immigration and religious freedom and 
tolerance is good.
  These restrictions have long been outdated, a fact recognized by the 
administration in its granting of normal trade relations status to the 
Ukraine on a yearly waiver basis by the President. Because of this, my 
legislation will not affect current trade relationships with the 
Ukraine on a dollar-and-cents term. However, the message we are sending 
by making this relationship permanent is priceless to the people of the 
Ukraine. It strongly reaffirms our long-term partnership and support as 
Ukraine continues down the path of reform and democracy.
  Again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleagues, the 
cosponsors of the bill, and the chairman and members of the Committee 
on Ways and Means for their work in bringing this bill to the floor 
today.
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield such time as 
he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), our 
champion on human rights here in the Congress and our leader in the 
fight against anti-Semitism.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good friend from Maryland 
for yielding, for his eloquent statement and for his leadership on all 
human rights issues that come before this House.
  Mr. Speaker, like all of our colleagues, I welcome the democratic 
strides that Ukraine has taken since the Orange Revolution, and I want 
to note that the country has met the basic narrow condition for lifting 
Jackson-Vanik restrictions. Jews are allowed to emigrate from Ukraine. 
But I am very deeply concerned about the larger human rights questions, 
and particularly the failure to deal with rampant anti-Semitism in 
Ukraine.
  Mr. Speaker, the Anti-Defamation League, which monitors anti-Semitic 
incidents around the world, reports a disturbing trend in Ukraine. In 
2005, 164 incidents of anti-Semitism, ranging from vandalism to brutal 
violence, were reported there, three times the incidents reported in 
2004.
  The principal source of anti-Semitic agitation in Ukraine is the so-
called private university MAUP, which is officially recognized as an 
institute of higher education. It is accredited by Ukraine's Ministry 
of Education, it has tens of thousands of students enrolled

[[Page H695]]

at various campuses around the country, and it offers courses in many 
fields.
  But despite the apparent claim of legitimacy, this is the worst kind 
of disgrace to academia worldwide. This so-called university organizes 
sickening anti-Semitic meetings and conferences and regularly publishes 
anti-Semitic articles and statements in two widely distributed 
periodicals. Its so-called president and other faculty members have 
made it their life's goal to resuscitate and spread anti-Semitism in 
Ukraine, a country with a disgraceful history and mass murder in that 
subject. The president of this university, Shchokin, is the head of 
another organization which also uses its license for purely anti-
Semitic activities.
  One of these institution's most appalling actions has been to court 
the disgraced and odious American white supremacist David Duke. This 
``university'' awarded him a doctorate for a thesis entitled, ``Zionism 
as a Form of Ethnic Supremism.'' David Duke holds forth in the 
classrooms in Ukraine on history and international relations. He was 
also a key participant in a June 2005 conference sponsored by this so-
called university entitled, ``Zionism: A Threat to World Peace.''
  Other leading anti-Semites in Ukraine were given star billing at that 
conference, including Holocaust deniers.

                              {time}  1215

  Recently the president of the so-called university expressed public 
support for Iranian President Ahmadinejad's denial of the Holocaust, 
and approved of his threat to wipe Israel off the map.
  Mr. Speaker, in meetings with officials of Ukraine and top officials 
of our own government, I have repeatedly emphasized that I cannot 
support lifting Jackson-Vanik provisions for Ukraine when the 
government fails to deal with the issue of anti-Semitism. I have called 
upon Ukrainian officials to speak out and publicly denounce this vile 
venom from the so-called university and its president.
  I am pleased to report to my colleagues, Mr. Speaker, that while this 
ugly problem has not yet been fully resolved, over the last few months 
a number of positive steps have been taken by the Government of 
Ukraine, and that is the reason I am willing to support the lifting of 
Jackson-Vanik for Ukraine.
  I would like to mention the most positive actions that have been 
taken to deal with anti-Semitism in response to the serious concerns 
that I have raised with both Ukrainian and American officials. The 
President of Ukraine, Victor Yushchenko, on December 5, 2005, publicly 
condemned anti-Semitism, and he specifically criticized the so-called 
university, MAUP, for its systematic publication of viciously and 
violently anti-Semitic articles.
  President Yushchenko urged all Ukrainians to join him in condemning 
all manifestations of anti-Semitism and xenophobia, which he said the 
new democratic Ukrainian state will not tolerate. President Yushchenko 
called upon the faculty of this so-called university to respect 
citizens of all nationalities and religious faiths and to stop rousing 
national hatred.
  On January 23 of this year, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Borys 
Tarasiuk, strongly condemned the anti-Semitic actions of this 
university. He announced, ``Having exhausted all efforts to convince 
the university's leaders to drop their unlawful and wrongful actions'', 
the Foreign Minister broke off all contacts with the university a year 
ago. The Foreign Minister stressed, ``There is no place for any form of 
anti-Semitism or xenophobia in Ukraine.''
  The Ministry of Education and Science also issued a statement on 
January 23 accusing this so-called university of violating Ukrainian 
law. It said that there was persistent noncompliance with requirements 
of state licensing rules for universities. The ministry's statements 
said this institution pursued ``activities inconsistent with the status 
of higher educational institutions in the Ukraine.''
  I am calling on the Government of Ukraine to lift the license of the 
so-called university to function. It is a disgrace to the new Ukraine, 
and it is a disgrace to the civilized world, and I am looking forward 
to early action by the Government of Ukraine.
  On February 16, Mr. Speaker, the Presidential party made a statement 
condemning the anti-Semitic activities of this institution, noting, 
``Inflaming hostility, anti-Semitism and xenophobia by leaders of MAUP 
is a blatant violation of the rights and freedoms of the people. It 
casts a shadow on Ukraine, a country pursuing the way of democracy''.
  Just this past Friday, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Borys Tarasiuk, in 
a letter to me, said that his government takes anti-Semitism seriously 
and will deal with it in a bold manner. He said that all governmental 
departments have ceased cooperation with this institution, that it is 
becoming isolated and marginalized. Its future is more than vague, in 
view of the ongoing investigations, said Minister Tarasiuk in his 
letter. He also stated that formal charges are to be filed in the 
coming weeks.
  I look forward to the filing of these formal charges and the lifting 
of the license of the institution.
  Mr. Speaker, at the end of my statement, I will insert into the 
Record the full text of all of these documents.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe Ukrainian officials are acting in good faith 
to stop the nauseating and repulsive anti-Semitic actions of this so-
called university and its vile and despicable leadership. I will 
continue to monitor anti-Semitism in Ukraine, and I will continue to 
work with the officials of the Ukrainian Government to bring this ugly 
process to an end.
  I support, Mr. Speaker, reluctantly and with reservations, the 
legislation before us today to grant PNT status and to remove the 
Jackson-Vanik provisions from Ukraine. Ukraine has taken important 
steps forward, and I look forward to working with the Government of 
Ukraine under the leadership of President Yushchenko in dealing with 
the problem I discussed.
  Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record here the materials I discussed 
previously:

                Ukraine President Condemns Anti-Semitism

       Victor Yushchenko urged society to jointly condemn all 
     manifestations of anti-Semitism and xenophobia, and claimed 
     that the state would not tolerate them.
       The President stressed that government should protect 
     citizens of all nationalities and religious beliefs. He 
     pledged that it would consistently fight against national, 
     racial or religious discrimination in our country.
       ``There can be no national issue in a civilized country,'' 
     he said. The Head of State is worried that anti-Semitism 
     spreads throughout Ukraine.
       He condemned the Interregional Academy of Personnel 
     Management (IAPM) as an institution that systematically 
     publishes anti-Semitic articles in its publication 
     `Personnel.'
       Yushchenko said he had left the supervisory council of the 
     journal to protest against this inhumane policy. He called on 
     professors of the IAPM to respect citizens of all 
     nationalities and confessions and to ``stop rousing national 
     hatred.''
                                  ____


          Foreign Minister Tarasiuk: MAUP Activities Unlawful

       On January 23d speaking on national television Foreign 
     Minister of Ukraine Borys Tarasiuk strongly condemned the 
     anti-Semitic actions of MAUP University in Ukraine. He 
     confirmed that ``having exhausted all efforts to convince 
     MAUP leaders to drop their unlawful and wrongful actions'' he 
     broke off contacts with the University a year ago. According 
     to Tarasiuk, ``there is no place for any form of anti-
     Semitism or xenophobia in Ukraine''.
       At the same time the Ministry of Education and Science of 
     Ukraine issued a press-release accusing MAUP of breaking 
     Ukrainian law. In particular it pointed out persistent 
     incompliance with requirements of state licensing rules for 
     universities, failure to abide with legally binding 
     procedures of the State Accreditation Commission etc. The 
     press release qualifies it as ``a general negligence of law 
     and a desire to pursue activities inconsistent with the 
     status of Higher Education Institute in Ukraine''. The 
     Ministry addresses the issue to the Ukrainian law enforcement 
     bodies with request to analyze to what extent the actions of 
     MAUP comply with Ukrainian law.
                                  ____


 Statement by ``Our Ukraine'' of the Our Ukraine Bloc on Manifestation 
                        of Anti-Semitism at MAUP

       Inflaming hostility, anti-Semitism and xenophobia by 
     certain leaders of the Inter Regional Academy of Personnel 
     Management (MAUP) in MAUP-owned or affiliated mass media is a 
     blatant violation of rights and freedoms of people. It casts 
     a shadow on Ukraine, a country pursuing the way of democracy. 
     A new anti-Semitic article ``Minister of American synagogue'' 
     was published

[[Page H696]]

     in the last edition of ``Ukrainian newspaper plus''. It 
     represents a deliberate xenophobic act towards Ukrainian 
     citizens.
       The Our Ukraine Bloc considers such activity outrageous and 
     damaging, especially at the time of formation of a free civil 
     society. The Orange revolution displayed Ukraine as a new 
     democracy. Anti-Semitic attacks on the side of MAUP damage 
     Ukraine's image and hamper equal and close relations with its 
     biggest world partners. Atavistic thinking of MAUP leadership 
     might create a bizarre picture of Ukraine as a primitive and 
     nationalistic state.
       We consider this humiliation of Ukraine in the eyes of the 
     world community inappropriate and strongly urge the MAUP 
     leadership to review their views as harmful and shameful for 
     Ukrainian people. In the beginning of the III millennium 
     there cannot be any place for paranoid ideology in public and 
     political sphere!
       Representatives of any nation in Ukraine have a right for 
     self-realization and development of their national and socio-
     cultural identity. There is only one Ukraine for all of us!
                                  ____

                                                      Minister for


                                   Foreign Affairs of Ukraine,

                                                    March 3, 2006.
     Hon. Tom Lantos,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Lantos: Let me first of all express my deep 
     respect to you as a long-time supporter of my country. Being 
     a part of opposition in Ukraine during dramatic elections of 
     2004 I was encouraged and impressed by the letters you co-
     signed in defense of Ukrainian democracy. I also appreciate 
     the unequivocal support of my country's graduation from the 
     Jackson-Vanik amendment you rendered right after the victory 
     of democratic forces in December 2004.
       It is my strong conviction that the present moment gives a 
     precious opportunity to lay a solid fundament for a reliable 
     Ukrainian-American partnership for decades to come. Let me 
     assure you that Ukrainian Government won't let marginal 
     forces like infamous MAUP University thwart that chance.
       In December-February President Yushchenko, myself and pro-
     presidential party bloc ``Our Ukraine'' have strongly 
     condemned the anti-Semitic escapades of MAUP leaders. All 
     governmental bodies have seized their co-operation with MAUP. 
     All political forces denied them collaboration during the 
     forthcoming elections.
       Politically, MAUP University is isolated and marginalized. 
     Legally, its future is more than vague in view of ongoing 
     investigations (the formal charges are to be filed in the 
     coming weeks). I sincerely hope that you won't see the very 
     existence of this small group of obscurants in my country as 
     an impediment on the way of enhancing Ukrainian-American 
     partnership.
       Dear Congressman, anti-Semitism is an issue Ukrainian 
     Government takes seriously and deals with in an expedient and 
     bold manner. This is yet another issue on which we are ready 
     to actively co-operate with the United States. In this 
     regard, I would appreciate if we could meet and discuss all 
     range of Ukraine-U.S. issues during my visit to Washington, 
     D.C. on March 9-10, 2006.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Borys Tarasyuk.

  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. English), a member of the Ways and Means Committee.
  Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this 
bill and particularly to congratulate the gentleman from Pennsylvania 
(Mr. Gerlach), who is its primary sponsor and who has carefully 
shepherded it forward at a very sensitive time in U.S.-Ukrainian 
relations.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this bill especially when taken in 
tandem with economic and political reforms made by the Ukraine, as well 
as the efforts of our negotiators to put together a solid WTO market 
access agreement.
  I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of passage of this bill on the 
heels of the other body passing a similar measure under unanimous 
consent. Just 2 days ago an agreement on market access was signed 
between the U.S. and the Ukraine. This agreement is an excellent start 
to fostering a continued growth between our two countries.
  We recognize that some frictions remain, but this agreement, along 
with the Ukraine's accession to the WTO, will better enable us to 
resolve these frictions expeditiously, and in a mutually beneficial 
manner. Granting permanent normal trade relations, along with steps 
already taken to make government loan guarantees from the Export-Import 
Bank available to U.S. exporters to the Ukraine, will significantly 
increase U.S. investment in the Ukraine.
  Granting the Ukraine permanent normal trade relations status will not 
only complement the difficult economic reforms that have been made. It 
will also support and reinforce the democratic reforms being made by 
President Yushchenko.
  It is vital that Congress move forward and reaffirm our commitment to 
the Ukraine, to its reforms, both democratic and economic. Mr. Speaker, 
I urge passage of this bill.
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that each side be 
given an additional 2 minutes.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Feeney). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Levin).
  (Mr. LEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in support of this for 
the reasons that they have all given. What happens in Ukraine is 
important for its people, obviously. It is important for its neighbors. 
It is important for us in the United States, and I think really in the 
world. Let me just state why I think it is important in terms of its 
economic and democratic development.
  Clearly it has met the requirement in Jackson-Vanik as to 
immigration. Jackson-Vanik was an amendment to a trade bill, and so it 
is relevant for us to look at the economic and democratic developments 
within Ukraine. The Jackson-Vanik instrument is our opportunity in the 
Congress to deal with the accession of countries to the World Trade 
Organization, and that is why we have withheld PNTR in several cases 
until we were satisfied in terms of the WTO accession agreements and 
could participate in the development of those agreements.
  The U.S. has now negotiated with Ukraine a WTO accession agreement, 
and it is satisfactory. I think it will be mutually beneficial. I think 
also it will spark further reforms within Ukraine, both economic and 
also, I think, help the evolution of democracy within that country. So 
this is an important moment in terms of the economic role of Ukraine 
and the evolution of its democratic processes.
  Let me say another word, if I might quickly, about the importance. We 
have been working on this legislation for a number of years. In 
proposals that we have placed on the record, that we have introduced, 
we have talked about various aspects of our relationship with Ukraine, 
and various doings within Ukraine, both human rights, how it treats its 
workers and many other aspects.
  All of these aspects are not covered in this legislation, but I do 
think this legislation points out the importance of Ukraine to continue 
its democratic evolution. There are challenges ahead. I have had the 
chance to talk with constituents, with the large Ukrainian-American 
community in the 12th District.
  And I want to close with this. To echo what Mr. Lantos has said, and 
others, what happens in Ukraine is important, as I said, not only for 
its people, but really for the whole world. The Orange Revolution 
really resounded throughout the globe. It was an important moment for 
all of us, and so is its progress in terms of human rights and in terms 
of the elimination of anti-Semitism within Ukraine.
  Mr. Speaker, so I join in this effort, and I urge that we all support 
it.
  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Michigan (Mrs. Miller).
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding me time.
  Mr. Speaker, as has been discussed here today certainly, the Jackson-
Vanik restrictions were made as an amendment to a 1974 trade bill 
actually to punish the Soviet bloc nations for their despicable human 
rights record.
  Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Jackson-Vanik 
restrictions were placed on all of the former Soviet Republics, 
including the Ukraine. In recent years, the world has watched as the 
Ukraine has embraced democracy and freedom through their Orange 
Revolution.
  The Ukraine has been a great ally in the war on terror. The Ukraine 
has clearly taken appropriate steps to open their society and economy 
and becoming an important member of the community of free nations. The 
Ukraine should be free of the onerous restrictions, because they have 
met each of the tests laid out by the law. In fact,

[[Page H697]]

the Ukraine has been granted an annual waiver from these restrictions 
each year for nearly a decade.
  Mr. Speaker, my district is home to many people of Ukrainian descent. 
In fact, southeast Michigan, I believe, has, if not the largest, 
certainly one of the largest Ukrainian populations in our entire 
Nation.
  These people are great Americans. They are great patriots. For years 
they have fought against Soviet oppression of the Ukrainian people and 
on behalf of freedom. They now embrace democracy and freedom that has 
come to their homeland, and they know it is both appropriate and very 
necessary for this Congress to act on this issue.
  It is time for us to recognize the friendship of the Ukraine as well 
as permanently remove them from the restrictions of Jackson-Vanik.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this very, very 
important legislation today on the floor.

                              {time}  1230

  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) who is a very active Member of the Congress 
with regard to our relationship with the Ukraine.
  (Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solid 
support of this legislation and with deep thanks to the leadership on 
both sides of the aisle for their work on this issue.
  This is a critically important piece of legislation, not just for the 
people of Ukraine but for the people of the world. As a founder and 
cochair of the Ukrainian Rada-U.S. Congress relationship, this has been 
our number one priority for a number of years. But going back in my own 
career as a mayor and former county commissioner, I can recall each 
January that, with hundreds of my Ukrainian-American constituents, we 
would assemble and light candles. We would light candles for those 
people who are being oppressed by the Soviet regime.
  In working with groups like the National Council of Soviet Jewry, we 
would make visits into the Soviet Union and go to those homes where 
people were being oppressed. We understood in a real way the oppression 
that was being brought by the Soviet leadership. And those candles that 
we lit each January were to show our solidarity with the Ukrainian 
people, that one day they would achieve independence and one day they 
would achieve the full equal respect of our country.
  In the early nineties they achieved their independence. Today they 
receive the full respect of America and its people, because today we 
grant them equal status as a trading partner.
  Ukraine has been working hard to achieve the basic foundation of 
democracy. They worked hard as a million people stood in the streets in 
the area of the Maden and stood up to the leadership in attempting to 
take away the election of the people. They stood tall for the 
leadership of President Yushchenko.
  President Yushchenko has continuously called for this action that we 
take today. And certainly the timing is appropriate because in several 
weeks Ukraine will elect a new Rada. This sends a signal that Ukraine 
now has the full and equal respect of the government and of the people 
of the United States. And it sends a signal to all those other emerging 
democracies that you can follow the Orange Revolution.
  Ukraine has been very helpful to us, Mr. Speaker, in ways that we do 
not often talk about publicly. It was President Kuchma, before 
Yushchenko, who laid the groundwork with contacts in Libya through his 
Foreign Minister, Konstantin Greshenko, to assist us in getting Gadhafi 
to give up his weapons of mass destruction. Quiet discussions among 
Ukraine leaders were assisting us to achieve what many thought was 
impossible in Libya.
  It has been Ukraine and the diaspora in this country that has 
constantly reminded us of the economic bonds between our two nations. 
Today we stand tall with the people of Ukraine, and we tell them that 
we are with them, as we told Prime Minister Yekhanurov when he was here 
only a few weeks ago.
  Today Ukraine becomes a symbol for all of the world. Hopefully, we 
will continue to work with Russia to achieve a similar status before 
the end of this year. I was encouraged by the comments of our Trade 
Representative in calling for that ultimate conclusion, once Russia has 
continued to show success and improvement in their economic relations.
  To all of our colleagues, I say vote for this issue.
  Slava Ukraine.
  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart), a member of the Rules 
Committee, a Member who knows what it is to lose freedom and then 
regain it.
  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman 
Shaw for his kind remarks. I want to thank all the distinguished 
Members who have made possible this legislation today. I think it is 
very timely.
  I had the privilege of visiting Ukraine last December along with 
Under Secretary of State Paula Dobriansky and a humanitarian delegation 
from my community. My community has begun a process of helping the 
people of Ukraine, especially the sick children who, because of the 
decades-long environmental degradation, really attack upon the 
environment of the totalitarian regime, are still suffering and for 
generations, unfortunately, will have to suffer the consequences of the 
horrors of totalitarianism in a most unfair way. So humanitarian 
efforts are ongoing, and I am very proud of that, from my community, to 
help the people of Ukraine.
  I was again very impressed and thank Mr. Lantos for standing up today 
and mentioning an extremely important subject area. I want to point out 
that in the discussions that we had with President Yushchenko, Under 
Secretary Dobriansky, I was impressed by how much emphasis she made and 
the seriousness with which she made arguments that were brought out 
today by Mr. Lantos. And so I am pleased to see that he will continue 
his very important monitoring of really the despicable matters that he 
made reference to, and I certainly look forward to joining him in that 
monitoring.
  That said, I think it is important that a friend that has gone 
through, because of really the heroism of its people, has gone through 
a democratic transition, and, even after independence from the Soviet 
Union, was really still living under the undue influence of Russia.
  I think that those hundreds of thousands of people that took to the 
streets just over a year ago, they deserve our respect. And the people 
of Ukraine deserve our respect. And in the same manner in which 
Jackson-Vanik, I am very proud of, was another way in which the United 
States stood on behalf of freedom, I think today it is time to remove 
Jackson-Vanik from democratic Ukraine, to say congratulations for what 
you have achieved, and to say we will be with you as you further 
achieve progress in perfecting your democracy and the rule of law.
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, let me once again thank my friends for bringing this 
legislation forward. I want to acknowledge again Mr. Lantos and his 
strong work on behalf of human rights and fighting anti-Semitism, and 
Mr. Levin who authored a bill on our side for PNTR for Ukraine.
  Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record a letter from the Anti-
Defamation League acknowledging the changes that have been made by the 
leadership of the Ukraine, dated January 25, 2006. The Anti-Defamation 
League is the premier organization fighting anti-Semitism globally.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

                         Anti-Defamation League


  ADL Welcomes Ukraine's Strong Condemnation of University Fomenting 
                             Anti-Semitism

       New York, NY, January 25, 2006 . . . The Anti-Defamation 
     League (ADL) welcomed the statements and actions of the 
     Ukrainian government to condemn anti-Semitism, and 
     specifically one of the country's leading institutions of 
     higher education, which ADL has called a hotbed for anti-
     Semitic incitement. Ukraine's Foreign Minister and the 
     Ministry of Education and Science publicly condemned MAUP 
     University's anti-Semitic activities and called for ``anti-
     incitement laws to be effectively enforced.''
       In a letter to Borys Tarasyuk, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, 
     Barbara B. Balser, ADL

[[Page H698]]

     National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director 
     welcomed his ``strong statement condemning the anti-Semitic 
     actions of MAUP University as unlawful and wrongful and 
     proclaiming that `there is no place for any form of anti-
     Semitism and xenophobia in the Ukraine.'''
       The League leaders also welcomed the statement of the 
     Ministry of Education and Science accusing MAUP of breaking 
     Ukrainian law by persistent incompliance with requirements of 
     state licensing rules for universities and failure to abide 
     with legally binding procedures of the State Accreditation 
     Commission.
       ``We hope the Ukrainian government will continue to condemn 
     such anti-Semitic activities and ensure anti-incitement laws 
     will be effectively enforced,'' Ms. Balser and Mr. Foxman 
     said.
       A university with 50,000 students, MAUP has made statements 
     supporting the President of Iran's denial of the Holocaust 
     and appeal for Israel's destruction and is a bastion of anti-
     Jewish propaganda and incitement in the Ukraine.

  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Feeney). The gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Shaw) has 7\1/2\ minutes remaining.
  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to first of all associate myself with the 
remarks from the gentleman from Maryland as well as the gentleman from 
California. I think they expressed very well, as did the other speakers 
from the majority side, the feeling of the Congress with regard to this 
resolution. I rise in very strong support of H.R. 1053 which would 
grant permanent normal trade relations to the products of the Ukraine.
  Members of the House have the opportunity to show their support for 
the important economic and democratic reforms underway by Ukraine by 
affirming their support to the PNTR status.
  As chairman of the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, I routinely 
observe the tremendous benefits that free and fair trade can have on 
both countries involved. In fact, many times the economic benefit of 
trade is a carrot that is held out to encourage movements by countries 
towards a free and open society. To most effectively continue 
advocating that countries make these reforms, we must take steps to 
recognize and reward those efforts to demonstrate the benefits of those 
actions.
  In addition to rising in support of this legislation, I applaud the 
negotiations on both sides for their work on the bilateral market 
access agreement reached between the United States and Ukraine on March 
6, 2006, just 2 days ago. In particular, I commend the strong 
protections for intellectual property rights contained in the 
agreement. For example, the Ukraine has agreed to provide 5 years of 
data protection for pharmaceuticals and 10 years of data protection for 
agriculture chemicals.
  I applaud both the Ukraine and the United States Trade 
Representative, Mr. Portman, for this and I continue to urge the United 
States Trade Representative to press for intellectual property rights 
in future agreements, particularly in the discussions with Russia.
  Mr. Speaker, Ukraine has made strong commitments in this and many 
other areas. In addition, the country has made tremendous economic and 
democratic strides. All of us were thrilled to watch actually on 
television the Orange Revolution and watch it go forward and watch the 
freedom, the human spirit, rise up in the Ukraine and come to bring 
them where they are today.
  Because of this and other matters, I urge my colleagues to support 
permanent and normal trade relations for the Ukraine and vote in favor 
of this important bill, H.R. 1053.
  Mr. NEUGEBAUER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressmen Hensarling and Moore 
and Chairmen Oxley and Bachus for their efforts to bring H.R. 3505 to 
the floor today. Regulatory relief is much-needed by our nation's 
financial institutions, and I am pleased to support this legislation.
  Since 1989, federal banking regulators have adopted more than 851 new 
rules and regulations. Regulatory costs, which total $38 billion, 
account for 13 percent of banks' non-interest expenses. It is time for 
Congress to provide relief.
  I am especially concerned about the impact of unnecessary regulations 
on community banks and small credit unions, which are the types of 
institutions that serve much of rural West Texas. The regressive burden 
of regulations has contributed to the decline in the number of 
community banks and diminished the investments they are able to make in 
small communities.
  H.R. 3505 includes a balance of regulatory relief among all types of 
financial institutions, and all institutions will benefit from the 
elimination of annual privacy notices when they do not share 
information or have not changed their privacy policy. There are 
provisions in this legislation that provide relief specific to 
community banks, national banks, credit unions and thrifts.
  I am especially supportive of the much needed relief on Currency 
Transaction Reports and Suspicious Activity Reports. Last year banks 
filed more than 13 million CTRs and 300,000 SARs, overwhelming law 
enforcement with reports. Eliminating CTRs for seasoned customers will 
save institutions many hours of paperwork and redirect resources to the 
most useful reports. Focusing resources on transactions that pose the 
greatest risks benefits law enforcement, financial institutions and 
citizens.
  I encourage my colleagues to support the long-overdue regulatory 
relief in H.R. 3505.
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the 
Resolution offered by Representative Gerlach, H.R. 1053--lifting the 
provisions of Jackson-Vanik from the country of Ukraine.
  In December 2004, the world watched as a democratic candidate was 
poisoned, a stolen victory, and marches in the street by people hungry 
for freedom and for a better future for their children.
  The world witnessed true passion. We witnessed people expressing 
themselves and their will to live freely and democratically. We 
witnessed people determined to take charge of their nation's destiny 
and risk all to do so. We witnessed young and old, families and 
students--all camping outdoors in the blistering Ukrainian cold to 
protest against a sham victory and demand true elections. What we 
witnessed was true everyday heroism.
  While we, the people of the world, witnessed victory--the people of 
Ukraine lived it by forcing it. By rejecting tyranny and corruption and 
demanding equality and freedom, they brought about peaceful democratic 
regime change.
  As a result, President Viktor Yushchenko has been able to 
democratically reform laws in Ukraine to bring this country to Market 
Economy Status. Additionally, Ukraine has continued to bring religious 
minorities together, restore privately owned property, and condemn 
anti-Semitic remarks from national organization. As a result of 
Ukraine's tireless effort to reform, on March 6, 2006 the United States 
and Ukraine signed a very important trade agreement that would 
eventually help grant Ukraine access to the World Trade Organization.
  Now the only piece of the puzzle still left for this fledgling 
democracy is lifting of the Jackson-Vanik restriction--and permanently 
granting normal trade relations status with the United States.
  I am pleased to join with my colleagues and my constituents in 
support of H.R. 1053 and grant Ukraine PNTR for the hard work and 
democratic reforms that have been instituted after the ``Orange 
Revolution'' Let's support this democratically elected government and 
grant them Permanent Normal Trade Relations status.
  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, Congresswoman Nancy Kaptur, co-chair of 
the Ukranian Caucus, and I have been strong supporters of political 
freedom in Ukraine and have advanced the cause of Ukranian culture 
internationally and in the United States.
  Today we will vote ``present'' on H.R. 1053, a bill to authorize the 
extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations 
treatment) to the products of Ukraine. We wish to make clear that this 
was not a ``no'' vote, but a ``we know'' vote.
  We know that democracy is on the march in Ukraine. We also know that 
the conditions for a fully functioning democracy are not in place.
  We adhere to the principles of a similar bill to life Ukraine from 
Jackson-Vanik in the 107th Congress, H.R. 3939. However, that bill 
specified certain conditions be met prior to lifting that reflect the 
spirit of the law as much as the letter of the law, including that the 
government of Ukraine--
  (1) Adopt and institute policies that remove undue restrictions and 
harassment on labor organizations to freely associate according to 
internationally recognized labor rights; (2) Take additional positive 
steps to transfer places of worship and related religious property for 
all confessions to their original owners; (3) Establish an independent 
legal and judicial system with rule of law that is free of political 
interference and corruption; (4) Commit to providing funding and 
administrative support for reforms of the legislature; (5) Demonstrate 
a firm commitment to freedom of the press by prohibiting physical harm 
and intimidation of journalists through such means as prevention of 
abuse of tax and libel laws; (6) Adopt and

[[Page H699]]

vigorously enforce laws to prohibit the trafficking of women and of 
illicit narcotics; (7) Accelerate governmental structural reform and 
land privatization policies which benefit ordinary citizens; (8) Adopt 
a more comprehensive program to protect the environment; (9) Support 
internationally recognized standards of transparency in monitoring of 
elections; and (10) Remedy trade disputes involving violation of 
international property rights, transshipment of counterfeit goods, and 
dumping of such products as steel into the United States market in such 
increased quantities as to cause harm to the domestic industry.
  Despite our high aspirations for the Ukraine, we do not believe that 
these conditions have been met, although we are mindful that there are 
people in civil society working to bring these principles to fruition.
  The Jackson-Vanik requirement for annual review of the trading 
relationship was originally intended as a way to sanction anti-Semitic 
regimes. According to the Anti-Defamation League, in a document 
attached to this statement, that we attach for the Record, at least one 
university in Ukraine, sadly, is still teaching anti-Semitism in 
Ukraine.
  We have both worked to ensure human rights, labor rights and 
environmental quality standards are including in trade agreements. 
However, the WTO does not permit trade on this basis. This makes new 
entrants into the WTO highly vulnerable to the export of their jobs to 
nations which offer cheap labor and no standards. A transfer of wealth 
from the great mass of the people of Ukraine to multi-national 
corporate interests will result unless there are safeguards. Any 
nation, and Ukraine is no exception, which is heavily influenced by 
oligarchical interests, could easily be sacrificed. We remain committed 
to continuing to work with the valiant people of Ukraine and the 
wonderful groups of the diaspora to lift up the economic, political and 
social progress of the Ukranian people. We are optimistic about the 
blossoming of freedom, economic democracy and human rights in Ukraine.

             Ukraine University Schooling in Anti-Semitism


                    maup: schooling in anti-semitism

       MAUP is the main source of anti-Semitic agitation and 
     propaganda in Ukraine. It organizes anti-Semitic meetings and 
     conferences, regularly issues anti-Semitic statements and 
     publishes two widely distributed periodicals, Personnel and 
     Personnel Plus, which frequently contain anti-Semitic 
     articles.
       At the same time, MAUP is a bona fide university--its 
     English name is the Interregional Academy for Personnel 
     Management--accredited by Ukraine's Ministry of Education, 
     with more than 50,000 students enrolled at campuses in 
     various locations. Business, political science and 
     agriculture are among the subjects taught.
       The anti-Semitic activities are directed by MAUP's 
     President, Georgy Tschokin, and a number of his colleagues. 
     In addition, Tschokin is the head of another body called the 
     ``International Personnel Academy'' (IPA), which he also uses 
     to issue anti-Semitic statements.
       White supremacist David Duke has close links with MAUP: he 
     ``teaches'' a course on history and international relations, 
     has been awarded a doctorate for a thesis on Zionism and was 
     a key participant in MAUP's June 2005 conference on 
     ``Zionism: Threat to World Peace''.
       On November 22, Tschokin issued a statement of solidarity 
     with Iranian President Ahmadinejad's threat to wipe out 
     Israel. The statement blended traditional Christian anti-
     Semitism with anti-Zionism: ``We'd like to remind that the 
     Living God Jesus Christ said to Jews two thousand years ago: 
     `Your father is a devil!' . . . Israel, as known, means 
     `Theologian', and Zionism in 1975 was acknowledged by General 
     Assembly of UNO as the form of racism and race 
     discrimination, that, in the opinion of the absolute majority 
     of modern Europeans, makes the most threat to modern 
     civilization. Israel is the artificially created state 
     (classic totalitarian type) which appeared on the political 
     Earth map only in 1948, thanks to good will of UNO . . . 
     Their end is known, and only the God's true will rescue all 
     of us. We are not afraid, as God always together with his 
     children!'' .
       MAUP's June 2005 anti-Zionist conference was attended by 
     anti-Semites from all over the region, as well as Duke, 
     French Holocaust denier Serge Thion and Israel Shamir, a 
     Russian Jew who converted to Christianity and is notorious 
     for publishing anti-Semitic essays on the internet. The 
     Palestinian Authority representative in Ukraine, Walid Zakut, 
     was also reported to have attended.
       MAUP's anti-Semitic activities can be traced back to at 
     least 2002. MAUP's leading figures have been at the root of 
     attempts to bar Jewish organizations in Ukraine and, more 
     recently, a call to ban ``The Tanya'', a classic work of 
     Hassidic Jewish literature, on the grounds that it promotes 
     racism against non-Jews.


                      maup: context and responses

       At the Auschwitz liberation ceremonies in January 2005, 
     Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko declared that his 
     country had adopted a policy of ``zero tolerance'' towards 
     anti-Semitism. Yet over this year, there has been a sharp 
     spike in anti-Semitic incidents, including the brutal beating 
     in August of a Yeshiva student in Kiev, who remains 
     hospitalized in Israel in a coma. Following this attack, 30 
     Ukrainian rabbis declared: ``Calls to violence against 
     Judaism and Jews are published in the press, freely 
     distributed and sold. On the walls of synagogues, buildings, 
     bus stops and along the road, anti-Semitic symbols appear 
     more and more often.''
       Critically, Mr. Yushchenko has done nothing against MAUP, 
     aside from resigning from its Board.
       Ukraine needs to take decisive action now. Measures could 
     include the following: Invoking anti-incitement laws against 
     Tschokin and his colleagues; the Education Ministry revoking 
     recognition of MAUP diplomas; a statement of condemnation by 
     Mr. Yushchenko and a ban on David Duke entering Ukraine.

  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 1053, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will 
be postponed.

                          ____________________