aaus-list @ ukrainianstudies.org -- [aaus-list] The Orange Revolution: One Year Later (fwd)

[Max Pyziur <pyz@brama.com>]

fyi,

MP
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Date: Thu, 8 Dec 2005 10:52:07 -0500
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Subject: The Orange Revolution: One Year Later

   The Orange Revolution: One Year Later


   Paula J. Dobriansky, Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs
   Remarks to the American Enterprise Institute
   Washington, DC
   December 5, 2005

   Thank you Leon for that introduction, and thanks to you and your staff for
   organizing this roundtable. It is a pleasure for me to be back at the American
   Enterprise Institute. I would like to recognize Anders Aslund of the Carnegie
   Endowment for International Peace and Taras Kuzio of George Washington
   University, who along with Leon will contribute to what I am sure will be a
   very insightful panel discussion.

   Thomas Jefferson once said "We are not to expect to be translated from
   despotism to liberty in a featherbed." Then, and now, a stable, prosperous,
   orderly democracy is not something that any people can create in short order
   and without arduous toils. At times -- indeed frequently -- the obstacles can
   seem daunting and even insurmountable. But if you step back and look at the
   sweep of history, especially modern history, it becomes clear that this process
   often succeeds. Haltingly, in fits and spurts, democracy, liberty and the rule
   of law have taken hold in country after country. Such was the process in our
   own nation -- we weren't perfect at the creation -- and such is the nature of
   Ukraine. But the democratic evolution there is quite promising.

   A year ago Saturday, the Supreme Court of Ukraine, acting on the clear signal
   from the people of Ukraine, nullified a flawed election, upheld the rule of
   law, and cleared the path that led to a true expression of the will of the
   Ukrainian people. It marked a turning point in a stunning series of events that
   would culminate in the inauguration of President Viktor Yushchenko.

   I had the honor of accompanying then-Secretary of State Colin Powell, who led
   the American delegation to the inauguration. The atmosphere on that
   unforgettable day was truly electric. Thousands of people had lined the
   streets, many of whom had camped out. Orange banners, caps, and scarves were
   everywhere. There was joy and euphoria that Ukrainians finally had swept away
   the last vestiges of authoritarian rule and corruption, and emerged as strong
   stakeholders in building a new, democratic Ukraine.

   The atmosphere was both exciting and auspicious when President Yushchenko made
   an official visit to the United States in April of this year. Congress gave him
   the honor of an address to a joint session, which I also attended.

   Yushchenko expressed gratitude for being invited to speak from the same rostrum
   as great leaders like Winston Churchill and Lech Walesa. He noted that "The
   Orange Revolution gave evidence that Ukraine is an advanced European nation,
   sharing the great values of the Euro-Atlantic civilization. Its citizens stand
   ready to guard their rights and freedoms... For us, a European future is a
   powerful incentive to attain high political, social and economic standards."

   He was also received at the White House by President Bush, where the two
   leaders launched a strategic partnership. President Bush noted that Yushchenko
   was the first foreign leader he called after his inaugural address last
   January, and said "You are a friend of our country and you are an inspiration
   to all who love liberty."

   The New Century Agenda Joint Statement by Presidents Bush and Yushchenko
   focuses on concrete areas for cooperation. These include promoting democracy
   and freedom, fighting terrorism, combating weapons proliferation, supporting
   Ukraine's NATO aspirations, strengthening economic reform to increase
   prosperity, combating trafficking in persons, and cooperating to fight HIV/
   AIDS.

   One year later, the Orange Revolution and its promise continue to inspire
   Ukrainians and others. Much progress has been made. The Orange Revolution
   brought together Ukrainians with diverse political views, but who were united
   by the understanding that without a truly free democracy, their voices would
   not be heard. Their unity was decisive.

   The tremendous diversity among the Orange Revolutionaries also meant that as
   the political process developed, differences would have to be addressed. There
   has been much discussion about the breakup of the Orange Coalition since the
   government was dismissed in September. Some question the stability and future
   of Ukraine's democratic trajectory. Others see a chance to rekindle the
   excitement and dynamism associated with the Orange Revolution.

   Events of the past year remind us that we need to have realistic expectations.
   No country has made the transition from Communism to democracy and a market
   economy without some turmoil. This is normal, as the emerging democracies in
   new Europe showed in the 1990s. Coalitions, parties, alliances and individual
   players rise and fall -- this is part of the very nature of the evolution of
   democracy.

   Ukraine has encountered difficulties in turning from the exhilaration of the
   Orange Revolution to the hard work of transforming Ukraine into a modern,
   European state. But it is important to acknowledge the progress Ukraine has
   made over the past year. Today, the Ukrainian people have a sense of ownership
   in their country that did not exist before the Orange Revolution. They
   understand the power of democracy and freedom, and they are exercising that
   power every day. Particularly impressive has been the development of civil
   society. Today, Ukrainian civil society is rich and diverse, featuring hundreds
   of groups, institutions and associations, which deal with a broad range of
   national and local issues. During my most recent visit, I had an opportunity to
   meet with some of the activists, who are using their new freedoms to unleash
   their talents and creativity in ways designed to solve problems, and empower
   people. It is, of course, the existence of a vibrant civil society that is a
   key ingredient of a stable and mature democracy.

   Ukraine has made significant progress in democratizing, and the world will be
   closely watching the March Rada elections -- a real test of the Orange
   Revolution's democratic gains. It is important the campaign and election-day
   vote be free and fair, meeting international standards.

   The success of these elections is doubly important as Ukraine has become an
   important player in, and role model for, building democracy in the region.
   Events in Ukraine have been an inspiration for those who still live under
   governments that are not in power with the consent of the governed.

   Ukraine is already actively promoting democracy abroad. This summer, the
   presidents of Ukraine and Georgia signed the Borjomi Declaration, which calls
   for leaders of countries within the Baltic-Black Sea-Caspian area to create a
   Community of Democratic Choice. They called on participants to commit to
   "freeing our region from all remaining lines of division, from violations of
   human rights, from frozen conflicts, opening a new era of democracy." On
   December 2, I had the honor to represent the United States at the inaugural
   session of the Community for Democratic Choice forum in Kiev. Representatives
   from 23 countries, including nine heads of state, came to this Summit to affirm
   their commitment to working together to consolidate the democratic process
   through internal reform, and a sharing of best practices with one another.
   There will be follow-on meetings held throughout the region to develop and
   implement action plans. This project, which the United States strongly
   supports, is an excellent example of a region coming together on its own
   initiative to take action -- in the spirit of the Community of Democracies, and
   in response to the call for such action at the ministerial in Chile earlier
   this year.

   The prospects for democracy and freedom reaching Belarus are significantly
   enhanced by international cooperation and aid involving Ukraine

   We are also pleased that Ukraine continues to be committed to fighting
   terrorism, and has expressed interest in assisting Iraq in training and
   reconstruction projects. Moreover, we have valued Ukraine's role and
   contributions to many international peacekeeping missions.

   Together we have made good progress on our non-proliferation agenda, and
   welcome Ukraine as a key partner in preventing illegal arms exports. Ukraine's
   recent ratification of the IAEA Additional Protocol is highly commendable.

   The U.S. led the initiative to offer Ukraine Intensified Dialogue on NATO
   Membership Aspirations. Ukraine's relationship with NATO now depends on Ukraine
   -- its ability to forge domestic support for NATO membership and its
   willingness to meet NATO's performance-based standards.

   Following the Orange Revolution, Ukraine has renewed its commitment to fighting
   corruption and strengthening rule of law. Some of the work in this area goes
   hand-in-hand with streamlining and clarifying rules of investment, so that
   abuses like the tainted privatizations of the Kuchma years will not happen
   again, and that future steps toward a market economy will be taken on a
   transparent basis. Fighting corruption is not easy -- but it is essential.
   Indeed, one of the key characteristics of the Orange Revolution was that it
   sought to bring in a new, clean team. Living up to those expectations is
   critical to demonstrate to the Ukrainian people the differences between the old
   and new government.

   Ukraine has also reinvigorated efforts to join the WTO. It is a reflection of
   Ukraine's commitment to participate fully in the community of democracies and
   market economies. It is an important indication of Ukraine's desire to base its
   economy on a system based on internationally accepted rules.

   Toward that end, the Rada has passed legislation that will strengthen
   protection of intellectual property rights and reduce barriers to trade. Other
   pieces of legislation needed to join the WTO have faced stiffer opposition by
   protectionist interests. We still need to see more progress before Ukraine will
   be ready to join, but we are working closely with Ukraine to realize that goal
   at the earliest possible date.

   Ukraine now has law enforcement dedicated to fighting trafficking in persons.
   Senior Ukrainian government officials, including Ukraine's First Lady, have
   raised awareness of this key rule of law and human rights issue by speaking out
   against trafficking. We are encouraging Ukraine to keep up the pressure by
   ensuring convicted traffickers receive sentences that adequately reflect the
   heinous nature of this crime.

   An important part of my trip to Kiev last week was bringing together American
   medical professionals, under the leadership of Representative Lincoln
   Diaz-Balart, with Ukrainian counterparts and government ministers, to determine
   how we can further assist the children victims of the Chernobyl disaster. The
   United States has already provided more than $52 million worth of humanitarian
   assistance, and we plan an additional $15 million shipment next year. There is
   also a strong desire on the part of private American citizens to help. I
   visited the Kiev Clinical Children's and Maternal Hospital, together with the
   Congressman and physicians, and heard directly from the Ukrainian doctors about
   their training and equipment needs, which we will seek to address through this
   public-private partnership.

   The U.S. stands ready to assist Ukraine in all its efforts towards a better
   future. Free and fair parliamentary and local elections in March 2006,
   continued progress on economic reforms, and vigorous anti-corruption efforts
   are crucial. These are important initiatives that must be seen through to
   success: Ukraine's goal of joining NATO and the WTO are dependent on progress
   in these areas.

   We have every expectation that they will succeed, and that the inspiring
   democratic transformation there will continue. When I spoke here at AEI, almost
   a year ago to the day, about events in Ukraine, I quoted the famous Ukrainian
   poet Taras Shevchenko. There is a monument dedicated to the Ukrainian people
   and him near Dupont Circle and he continues to serve as a symbol of the quest
   for Ukrainian freedom. "Will there be truth among people?" Shevchenko wrote 144
   years ago, "There must be, otherwise the sun will rise and set on fire the
   whole land."

   Today, to a greater extent than anytime in recent history there is indeed truth
   among the people of Ukraine. While hurdles to progress may at times seem
   insurmountable, as we look back to Ukraine before the Orange Revolution we can
   see very significant progress. It is my hope and expectation that this
   evolution will continue.



   Released on December 7, 2005

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