[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 30, Number 34 (Monday, August 29, 1994)]
[Pages 1705-1706]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Address to the People of Ukraine on Ukrainian Independence Day

August 24, 1994

    It's a privilege to speak directly to you, the Ukrainian people, and 
congratulate you on your third Independence Day.
    In the short span of 3 years, Ukraine has shown the world that a 
nation can rapidly set down the roots of democracy. This year's 
elections for President and Parliament are strong evidence of your 
commitment to a democratic future, and we congratulate you on them.
    As Vice President Gore told President Kuchma when he visited Kiev 
earlier this month, the United States places a high value on our 
relationship with Ukraine. The American people strongly support your 
country's independence, its sovereignty, its territorial integrity. We 
believe in a stable, strong, and prosperous Ukraine.
    To help achieve those goals, the United States will support you as 
Ukraine proceeds down the difficult path of economic reform. At the 
recent meeting of the Group of Seven, I worked hard to secure a pledge 
of $4 billion in assistance for your nation. Those funds will be put to 
work when your government takes practical steps to reform Ukraine's 
economy and introduce the free market. As you face the hard work of 
modernizing and rebuilding your economy, be assured that the United 
States stands ready to help.
    The fruits of cooperation between our two nations can already be 
seen in our historic achievements on military and nuclear security 
matters. The leadership that Ukraine demonstrated when it became the 
first country to join NATO's Partnership For Peace is showing other 
nations the path to new security arrangements that will promote a truly 
unified Europe. Your nation's critical role in creating the trilateral 
statement on denuclearization will not only remove a source of great 
danger to you and people all over the world but also ensure that you 
receive fair compensation for the value of the nuclear warheads on your 
territory.
    And I am confident that when Ukraine joins the 164 nations that have 
acceded to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, you will witness a 
range of new opportunities for your high-technology industries. These 
industries will have the chance to flourish in both government-to-
government projects and through expanded international commerce.
    Here in the United States, as you know, we are especially proud of 
the Ukrainian-Americans who have helped to build our democracy and 
contribute so much to our society. I join with them in today's 
celebration of Ukraine's reborn statehood and in recognition of 
Ukrainians the world over who have given so much for the cause of 
freedom and democracy.
    The coming years pose many challenges, but I am confident that we 
are laying the foundation to meet them. Working together, I am convinced 
that my country and yours will continue to develop a deep and abiding 
relationship that serves our mutual interests. We look forward to 
working with your new President and Parliament to find new ways to 
strengthen the friendship between our peoples.
    On this day, we should all recall those who fought for independence 
before us. Your great poet Taras Shevchenko, a man born into serfdom, a 
contemporary of my Nation's Great Emancipator, President Lincoln, 
dreamed that one day his countrymen would enjoy the fruits of 
independence. Today, on behalf of all the American people, I 
congratulate you on realizing Shevchenko's dream and on the great years 
of freedom that lie ahead for all of you.

Note: The address was videotaped on August 4 at approximately noon in 
the Roosevelt Room at the White House and was released by the Office of 
the Press Secretary on August 24. A tape was

[[Page 1706]]

not available for verification of the content of this address.