[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Pages 2002-2003]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 422--RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANT PROGRESS MADE BY THE 
   PEOPLE OF UKRAINE IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS 
    FOLLOWING THE PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF ELECTION ON FEBRUARY 7, 2010

  Mr. LUGAR (for himself and Mr. Kerry) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 422

       Whereas adherence by Ukraine to democratic, transparent, 
     and fair election standards has been necessary for full 
     integration into the democratic community;
       Whereas steps undertaken by Ukraine in recent years, 
     including reform of election laws and regulations, the 
     development of a pluralistic and independent press, and the 
     establishment of public institutions that respect human 
     rights and the rule of law, have enhanced Ukraine's progress 
     toward democracy and prosperity;
       Whereas the Organization for Security and Cooperation in 
     Europe (OSCE) concluded that ``most OSCE and Council of 
     Europe commitments were met'' with regard to the conduct of 
     the run-off presidential election on February 7, 2010;
       Whereas international monitoring groups concluded that 
     prior elections in Ukraine on January 17, 2010, and in 2007, 
     2006, and 2004, were also generally in accordance with 
     international election norms;
       Whereas the United States has closely supported the people 
     of Ukraine in their efforts to pursue a free and democratic 
     future since the declaration of their independence in 1991;
       Whereas the NATO Freedom Consolidation Act of 2007 (Public 
     Law 110-17; 22 U.S.C. 1928 note), signed into law by 
     President George W. Bush on April 9, 2007, recognized the 
     progress made by Ukraine toward meeting the responsibilities 
     and obligations for membership in the North Atlantic Treaty 
     Organization (NATO) and designated Ukraine as eligible to 
     receive assistance under the NATO Participation Act of 1994 
     (title II of Public Law 103-447; 22 U.S.C. 1928 note);
       Whereas Ukraine has made steps toward integration within 
     European institutions

[[Page 2003]]

     through a joint European Union-Ukraine Action Plan, as part 
     of the European Neighbourhood Policy; and
       Whereas the United States-Ukraine Strategic Partnership 
     Commission was inaugurated by Secretary of State Hillary 
     Clinton and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Petro Poroshenko on 
     December 9, 2009: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the important progress made by the people of 
     Ukraine in establishing democratic institutions and carrying 
     out peaceful elections on January 17 and February 7, 2010;
       (2) supports ongoing progress by Ukraine in addressing 
     remaining challenges in the electoral processes as identified 
     by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe 
     and other international election monitoring entities;
       (3) encourages all parties to respect the independence and 
     territorial sovereignty of Ukraine, as well as the full 
     integration of Ukraine into the international democratic 
     community;
       (4) pledges further support for the development of a fully 
     free and open democratic system, as well as a transparent 
     free market economy, in Ukraine; and
       (5) reaffirms its commitment to engage the Government of 
     Ukraine in further development of bilateral cooperation 
     through the United States-Ukraine Strategic Partnership 
     Commission.

  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I rise to recognize the important progress 
made by the people of Ukraine in the establishment of democratic 
institutions following the presidential runoff election on February 7, 
2010. Voters recently elected Viktor Yanukovych as President of Ukraine 
in a process that international monitors declared to have generally 
comported with international election standards. This represents 
important progress towards the consolidation of democratic institutions 
that the U.S. has worked diligently to foster. Serving as President 
George W. Bush's envoy to the 2004 run-off election that resulted in 
what is now widely known as the ``Orange revolution,'' I had the 
opportunity to witness firsthand the great aspirations of the Ukrainian 
people for a government that responds to their needs. Given Ukraine's 
location on the periphery of NATO and the Russian Federation, as well 
as its role as the primary energy conduit to Europe, Ukraine's 
political development and external orientation greatly impact European 
security and U.S. policies in the region. A continuing partnership with 
the people of Ukraine and U.S. technical assistance programs on a range 
of issues, including nuclear security, non-proliferation, energy 
security, institution-building, and others, will serve to advance our 
vital national security interests. This U.S. engagement should also 
support ongoing progress by Ukraine in addressing the remaining 
challenges in the electoral processes as identified by international 
election monitoring entities. In recognition of the profound successes 
of U.S.-Ukrainian partnership, I am pleased to submit this resolution 
concerning the important progress made by the people of Ukraine in the 
establishment of democratic institutions.

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