[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 61 (Tuesday, April 17, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E758]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTION ON UKRAINE POLITICAL CRISIS

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 17, 2007

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce a 
concurrent resolution which addresses the current political crisis in 
Ukraine, a country of strategic importance to the United States. My 
resolution urges all sides to the ongoing impasse to act responsibly 
and use dialogue to resolve the crisis and ensure a free and democratic 
system in Ukraine based on the rule of law. I am pleased that Rep. 
Kaptur, a co-chair of the Ukrainian American Caucus, has joined me as 
original cosponsor.
  Ukraine's current political conflict is the result of the ongoing 
power struggle that President Victor Yushchenko and Prime Minister 
Victor Yanukovich have now been engaged in since Yanukovich became 
Prime Minister last August. This power struggle, rooted in hastily 
conceived constitutional reforms, threatens to undermine Ukraine's 
hard-fought and substantial democratic gains, especially those won 
since the 2004 Orange Revolution.
  Exactly 2 weeks ago today, President Yushchenko issued a decree 
dissolving parliament, asserting that the Prime Minister was attempting 
to monopolize power, and called for new parliamentary elections for May 
27. Parliament has refused to disband and questions the legality of the 
presidential decree. Ukraine's Constitutional Court is to rule on the 
legality of the decree and both sides have agreed to abide by the 
Court's decision. Unfortunately, some of the Court's judges have 
already complained of threats and pressure, especially from 
Yanukovich's supporters. Clearly, this is unacceptable and steps have 
been taken to protect the judges.
  Madam Speaker, it is important to note that Ukraine has made real 
democratic gains since the Orange Revolution. A year ago, as President 
of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, I had the privilege of leading the 
OSCE-Ied International Election Observation Mission to Ukraine's 
parliamentary elections and the pleasure and profound satisfaction of 
pronouncing them free and fair. Also, in contrast to the first 13 years 
of its independence, Ukraine in now designated by Freedom House as a 
``free'' country, and not merely ``partly free.'' Nevertheless, despite 
the progress, there have been missed opportunities and some of the 
promises of that historic revolution have gone unfulfilled.
  Democratic institutions and the rule of law in Ukraine are still 
emerging and fragile and lacking in their ability to safeguard 
democratic gains, and it is this weakness that has made it possible for 
this power struggle to ripen into a full-blown political crisis. First 
and foremost, my resolution calls for the crisis to be resolved in a 
manner that adheres to the rule of law consistent with Ukraine's 
democratic values and national security, in keeping with its OSCE 
commitments. It is also essential that the dispute is resolved in a 
peaceful manner. I am encouraged that demonstrations in Kyiv have been 
peaceful and that all sides to the dispute appear to recognize that any 
kind of violent conflict would have very negative consequences for 
Ukraine.
  Madam Speaker, prolonged instability is clearly not in Ukraine's 
interests and that nation's political leaders need to find a 
transparent way out of the current impasse that all parties will abide 
by. I hope that responsible dialogue consistent with the rule of law 
leads to a positive outcome for the Ukrainian people and the democratic 
path they have chosen.
  As this resolution underscores, Congress has been a staunch supporter 
of the development of democracy and respect for human rights and the 
rule of law in Ukraine since the restoration of that nation's 
independence in 1991. The consolidation of democracy and the rule of 
law in Ukraine will further strengthen that country's independence and 
sovereignty, enhancing Ukraine's aspirations for full integration with 
the West. I urge my colleagues to support this timely resolution as a 
demonstration of Congress' interest, concern, and support for the 
Ukrainian people.

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