[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2221-E2222]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    PRESIDENT YUSCHENKO'S EDITORIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ROBERT WEXLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 8, 2006

  Mr. WEXLER. Mr. Speaker, the following is an op-ed written by 
President Victor Yuschenko of Ukraine, which appeared in the Washington 
Post on November 29, 2006. As a strong supporter of United States-
Ukrainian bilateral relations and Ukraine's further integration into 
the trans-Atlantic community, I believe it is imperative that the 
upcoming 110th Congress play a greater role in fostering cooperation 
between our two nations. To do so, we must be prepared to reach out to 
President Yuschenko, Prime Minister Yanukovych and all the Ukrainian 
people as they take the sometimes difficult steps to further 
democratize. It is essential that Ukraine continues to have the support 
of the United States and our European allies during this period of 
transition, so that the ideals of freedom and democracy developed and 
echoed during the Orange Revolution come to bear.
  The text of President Yuschenko's editorial follows:

       Two years ago an authoritarian regime's attempt to hijack 
     the presidential election in Ukraine failed. As official 
     results were announced, disbelief provoked millions of 
     citizens to pour into the streets in protest. They took a 
     stand against those discredited officials who hid behind law 
     enforcement bodies in an attempt to prolong their corrupt 
     hold on power. Those days and weeks are known as Ukraine's 
     Orange Revolution.
       In the time since, my main goal as president has been to 
     institutionalize democracy and guarantee that it is 
     irreversible. Many of the wrongs in my country have been 
     corrected. We are maintaining our unwavering commitment to 
     the principles of freedom. We agreed to shift constitutional 
     powers from an authoritarian presidency to a coalition 
     government formed by parliament to end the country's 
     political impasse. And we abolished state censorship of the 
     media, while also forbidding interference in news reporting.
       This year free and fair elections were held at national, 
     regional and local levels. Overseeing the peaceful and 
     democratic transition of power was my unique test, as it 
     brought back to office my former political opponents.
       But along with our national successes and economic 
     achievements under two ``orange'' prime ministers, there have 
     been disappointments and miscalculations. Infighting among my 
     political allies has been the biggest disappointment. Some 
     ``orange'' politicians have ignored their fundamental duty to 
     deliver results for the public good. Instead, gaining 
     political power and seeking the limelight have become their 
     goal. As our country's democracy continues to mature, I am 
     convinced that a young cadre of leaders will rise through the 
     ranks of Ukraine's democratic parties to create a political 
     renewal.
       On my watch, the corruption that has historically emanated 
     from the president's office ceased. Thousands of election 
     officials, tax collectors, foot patrols, road police and 
     customs agents were brought to justice for petty corruption. 
     Yet the biggest abusers of public office remain at large 
     because of unreformed prosecutors and corruption in 
     the courts. I have recently initiated a number of anti-
     corruption bills to reform the criminal justice system and 
     the courts, and I will continue to press parliament for 
     speedy action.
       Because we were preoccupied with domestic political reforms 
     this year, we failed to communicate effectively with our 
     international partners. I want to explain where Ukraine 
     stands and where we are heading. Democracy and stability--two 
     interdependent principles--form the basis of my agenda. To 
     this end, I will continue constitutional reforms that 
     facilitate the effective work of government and prevent a 
     return to authoritarianism or the usurpation of power.
       Today there is a balance of political power between two 
     directly elected democratic bodies: the president and 
     parliament. The prime minister, although not directly 
     elected, represents a majority of the parliamentarians. Bills 
     specifying the role of the governing coalition and the 
     opposition have yet to be passed. But let there be no 
     mistake: Together we share responsibility for shaping, 
     executing and controlling laws and state policies.
       Second, constitutional reforms are incomplete, and as a 
     result there is a political asymmetry. We will continue 
     refining a reliable system of checks and balances between the 
     presidency, parliament and coalition government to expedite 
     policy decision making. To meet these objectives, I have 
     commissioned a group of constitutional experts to recommend 
     amendments to strengthen our nascent democratic institutions.
       Third, our law on national security promotes participation 
     and membership in pan-European and regional systems of 
     collective security. Membership in the European Union and 
     NATO, as well as good relations and strategic partnerships 
     with Russia and other countries in the Commonwealth of 
     Independent States, are not romantic ideas of the Orange 
     Revolution--they are founded in Ukrainian law. The president, 
     coalition government and parliament determine the speed with 
     which these goals are reached.
       Most important, the democratic debates in Kiev's halls of 
     power are now centered on ideas about competing economic 
     theories, values and worldviews. Our current system of checks 
     and balances requires policy coordination, party coexistence 
     and political compromise for us to move forward. Not everyone 
     likes the new rules of the game, and some are having trouble 
     playing in this new reality--but Ukraine's democracy is here 
     to stay.
       As president, my historic mission is to guarantee that 
     Ukraine's national goals are reached not through political 
     dictates but through an institutionalized democratic

[[Page E2222]]

     process that brings together governing bodies and citizen 
     groups. I am convinced an inclusive democracy is one of the 
     most significant and lasting achievements of the Orange 
     Revolution.

                          ____________________