aaus-list @ ukrainianstudies.org -- [aaus-list] U.S.-Ukraine Foundation Update 2005-#02

["John A. Kun" <jkun@usukraine.org>]

U.S.-Ukraine Foundation Update


President Viktor Yushchenko's Interview on "60
Minutes"

On Sunday, January 30, 2005, at 7:00pm (EST) CBS News program
"60 Minutes" aired an interview with Ukraine's President Viktor
Yushchenko.  The program focused on President Yushchenko's
poisoning.  

The text and the video of the program may be found at: 
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/01/28/60minutes/main670103.shtml



President Viktor Yushchenko's Speech at
Davos 

President Viktor Yushchenko outlined Ukraine's economic and
political priorities at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in
Davos, Switzerland.  The World Economic Forum, held from January
26-January 30, 2005, was titled "Taking Responsibility for Tough
Choices."    

The video of President Yushchenko's speech at Davos may be viewed
at:    
http://clients.world-television.com/worldeconomicforum_annualmeeting2005/_S13856.asp#

 

"Proposals to the President - A New Wave of
Reforms" Report  

The Blue Ribbon Commission for Ukraine, initiated and
supported by the United Nations Development Program, issued a report
titled "Proposals to the President - A New Wave of
Reforms."  The report outlines administrative reform, health
care and social reform, tax and financial reform, privatization, and
regulatory reform, and emphasizes Ukraine's entry into the World Trade
Organization. 

The report may be found at:
http://www.un.kiev.ua/brc/index.php?page=report

 
Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko meets with
U.S. Vice President Richard Cheney

Ukraine's President Yushchenko met with U.S. Vice President
Cheney in Krakow, Poland on January 26, 2005.  Both leaders were in
Poland to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Nazi
concentration camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau. 

The text of the meeting between Ukraine's President Yushchenko, and U.S.
Vice President Cheney is available at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/01/20050127-1.html

 

U.S. House of Representatives Passed Resolution congratulating the people of Ukraine and Viktor Yushchenko

The U.S. House of Representatives on January 25, 2005 passed a resolution Congratulating the people of Ukraine for conducting a democratic, transparent, and fair runoff presidential election on December 26, 2004, and congratulating Viktor Yushchenko on his election as President of Ukraine and his commitment to democracy and reform.  The final vote was 392 representatives for the resolution, and 1 against.

 
Representatives Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) & Adam Schiff (D-CA) hold 2-hour televised conference with 8 members of Verkhovna Rada

Among the issues raised during the January 12, 2005 televised conference were: graduating Ukraine from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment; granting Ukraine a "market economy status;'" opening U.S. markets for Ukrainian goods and services; foreign direct investment in Ukraine; and Ukraine's accession into the World Trade Organization.  

At the conclusion of the conference, lawmakers on both sides agreed to draft and circulate a document addressing these and other issues in the U.S. Congress & the Verkhovna Rada by the end of February 2005.  This document, in turn, will become a part of the legislative agenda for the House hearings on Ukraine in the 109th Congress, and upcoming Verkhovna Rada sessions. 

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The U.S.-Ukraine Foundation (USUF) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) non-governmental organization established in 1991 to facilitate democratic development, encourage free market reform and enhance human rights in Ukraine. The Foundation's mission is to build peace and prosperity in Ukraine through shared democratic values. USUF is dedicated to strengthening the mutual objectives of both nations and advancing Ukraine as a cornerstone of regional stability, and a full partner in the community of nations. 

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