aaus-list @ ukrainianstudies.org -- [aaus-list] [Fwd: [politics] Press Briefing by Scott McClellan..TheWhite

["Max Pyziur" <pyz@brama.com>]

---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: [politics] Press Briefing by Scott McClellan..The White House
...Q about Yushchenko visit From:    "W. Derzko"
Date:    Fri, April 1, 2005 7:26 pm

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http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/04/20050401-8.html

Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
James S. Brady Briefing Room

[...]

Q Scott, can you tell us, looking at Monday, the visit of the Ukrainian
President, is the President -- President Bush going to be offering any
kind of economic gestures or political support to uphold Ukraine at all?
I'm thinking --

MR. McCLELLAN: A couple of things. One, you're going to hear from the two
leaders after they've had an opportunity to meet. They will have a press
availability, and I expect they will have more to say after that.

But let me back up and say that the President was pleased to meet
President Yushchenko at the NATO Summit in Brussels recently. They had a
very good discussion there. The President looks forward to welcoming
President Yushchenko to the White House. His election was a landmark event
in the history of liberty. And the Orange Revolution was inspiring to all
who yearn to be free. So the President looks forward to talking with
President Yushchenko about a range of issues. Ukraine is a strategic
partner of the United States, in our view. And, yes, I suspect that
they'll talk about the importance of supporting the advance of freedom and
democracy in Eastern Europe and the broader Middle East region. And I
expect they'll talk about our cooperative efforts on counter
proliferation, as well.

But we appreciate President Yushchenko's strong commitment to democratic
reform. And we support his efforts to build a more prosperous, just and
free Ukraine. And I suspect they will talk about those issues, and then
have more to say on Monday.

Q What about endorsement of Ukraine into the WTO, for example, or into NATO?

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, let's let the meeting take place. But as I said, we
strongly support the efforts by President Yushchenko to build a Ukraine
that is more prosperous, more free and more just. He is someone who has
shown a commitment to strengthening the rule of law and fighting
corruption, and someone who has committed himself to accelerating economic
reforms, as well. And those are important steps.

Q Would NATO be --

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, as I said, we view Ukraine as a strategic partner. Q
And WTO would --

MR. McCLELLAN: And, certainly, President Yushchenko has been a strong
partner in the war on terrorism, as well.

[...]