[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 30 (Thursday, March 9, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S1953]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            EXTENSION OF NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS WITH UKRAINE

  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of calendar No. 370, H.R. 1053.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will state the bill by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 1053) to authorize the extension of 
     nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations 
     treatment) to the products of Ukraine.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be 
read the third time, passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the 
table, and that any statements relating to the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  I further ask consent that S. 632, the Senate companion measure, be 
indefinitely postponed.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (H.R. 1053) was read the third time and passed.
  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, last November, the Senate passed a bill I 
introduced, S. 632, authorizing the extension of permanent normal trade 
relations with Ukraine. During the post-Cold War era, Ukraine has 
continued to be subject to the provisions of the Jackson-Vanik 
amendment to the Trade Act of 1974, which sanctions nations for failure 
to comply with freedom of emigration requirements. My bill repeals 
permanently the application of Jackson-Vanik to Ukraine.
  Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1053, the House 
companion to my bill. I am extremely pleased that the Senate has passed 
this legislation today.
  Since the end of the Cold War, Ukraine has demonstrated a commitment 
to meet freedom of emigration requirements, and to abide by free market 
principles and good governance. Improving trade will strengthen the 
growing relationship between our two nations. The United States will 
continue its strong support of Ukraine and its commitment to democracy 
and free markets.
  I encourage President Yushchenko to continue his no-tolerance policy 
for antisemitism in Ukraine. I look forward to President Bush signing 
this bill into law as a further signal of United States support for 
democracy and free enterprise in Ukraine. This is especially important 
before the parliamentary elections in Ukraine on March 26.
  Extraordinary events have occurred in Ukraine. A free press has 
revolted against intimidation and reasserted itself. An emerging middle 
class has found its political footing. A new generation has embraced 
democracy and openness. A society has rebelled against the illegal 
activities of the previous government. It is in our interest to 
recognize and to protect these advances in Ukraine.
  The United States has a long record of cooperation with Ukraine 
through the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Act. Ukraine 
inherited the third largest nuclear arsenal in the world with the fall 
of the Soviet Union.
  Through the Nunn-Lugar program, the United States has assisted 
Ukraine in eliminating this deadly arsenal and joining the 
Nonproliferation Treaty as a nonnuclear state. The United States can 
and should do more to eliminate conventional weapons stockpiles and 
assist other nations in detecting and interdicting weapons of mass 
destruction. These functions are underfunded, fragmented, and in need 
of high-level support.
  This was pointed out to me during a visit Senator Barack Obama and I 
enjoyed in Ukraine in early September of last year.
  The Government's current response to threats from vulnerable 
conventional weapons stockpiles is dispersed between several programs 
at the Department of State. We believe the planning, coordination, and 
implementation of this function should be consolidated into one office 
at the State Department with a budget that is commensurate with the 
threat posed by these weapons.
  We look forward to continuing to address these issues and making 
progress on all fronts in Ukraine. The permanent waiver of Jackson-
Vanik and the establishment of permanent normal relations will be the 
foundation on which a burgeoning partnership between our nations can 
further grow and prosper.
  Mr. President, I am pleased to mention that on this auspicious day of 
our relations with Ukraine, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine is in 
Washington. We have had opportunities to visit, to share views, and to 
assert, once again, the solidarity of our friendship.
  Mr. OBAMA. Mr. President, I rise today to support H.R. 1053, 
legislation to extend permanent normal trade relations with Ukraine. 
This is the House companion to the bill, S. 632, that Senator Lugar and 
I introduced and shepherded through the Senate last year.
  Senator Lugar just forcefully outlined the issues in only the way 
that the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee can. I agree with 
what he said and cannot say it any better. So, I will be brief.
  As the chairman mentioned, this bill comes at a critical time for 
Ukraine--on the heels of dramatic presidential elections and shortly 
before important elections in the Rada. This legislation grew out of 
our trip to Ukraine last August, as we saw firsthand the key role that 
the United States must play in consolidating prodemocracy, pro-free 
market reforms. I believe it is critical that we continue to send a 
clear message to the Ukrainian people that there are tangible benefits 
to continuing down this path. This bipartisan legislation does just 
that.
  It is my honor to be the lead cosponsor of the Senate companion bill 
and I look forward to this legislation enhancing the U.S.-Ukraine 
relationship. I look forward to the President signing this bill into 
law.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.




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