Markup: Congratulating Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on Anniversary of Reestablishment of Full Independence; Transfer of Slobodan Milosevic to the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia; Urging the President of Ukraine to Support Democratic Ideals, etc. for Ukrainian Citizens

SPEAKERS       CONTENTS       INSERTS

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74–464PS
2001
CONGRATULATING ESTONIA, LATVIA AND LITHUANIA ON ANNIVERSARY OF REESTABLISHMENT OF FULL INDEPENDENCE; TRANSFER OF SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR YUGOSLAVIA; URGING THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE TO SUPPORT DEMOCRATIC IDEALS, ETC. FOR UKRAINIAN CITIZENS

MARKUP

BEFORE THE

SUBCOMMITTEE ON EUROPE

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

ONE HUNDRED SEVENTH CONGRESS

FIRST SESSION

ON
H. Con. Res. 131, H. Res. 200

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and H. Con. Res. 58

AUGUST 2, 2001

Serial No. 107–34

Printed for the use of the Committee on International Relations

Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.house.gov/international—relations

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: (202) 512–1800 Fax: (202) 512–2250
Mail: Stop SSOP, Washington, DC 20402–0001

COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

HENRY J. HYDE, Illinois, Chairman

BENJAMIN A. GILMAN, New York
JAMES A. LEACH, Iowa
DOUG BEREUTER, Nebraska
CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey
DAN BURTON, Indiana

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ELTON GALLEGLY, California
ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida
CASS BALLENGER, North Carolina
DANA ROHRABACHER, California
EDWARD R. ROYCE, California
PETER T. KING, New York
STEVE CHABOT, Ohio
AMO HOUGHTON, New York
JOHN M. McHUGH, New York
RICHARD BURR, North Carolina
JOHN COOKSEY, Louisiana
THOMAS G. TANCREDO, Colorado
RON PAUL, Texas
NICK SMITH, Michigan
JOSEPH R. PITTS, Pennsylvania
DARRELL E. ISSA, California
ERIC CANTOR, Virginia
JEFF FLAKE, Arizona
BRIAN D. KERNS, Indiana
JO ANN DAVIS, Virginia

TOM LANTOS, California
HOWARD L. BERMAN, California
GARY L. ACKERMAN, New York
ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA, American Samoa

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DONALD M. PAYNE, New Jersey
ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey
SHERROD BROWN, Ohio
CYNTHIA A. McKINNEY, Georgia
EARL F. HILLIARD, Alabama
BRAD SHERMAN, California
ROBERT WEXLER, Florida
JIM DAVIS, Florida
ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York
WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT, Massachusetts
GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York
BARBARA LEE, California
JOSEPH CROWLEY, New York
JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL, Pennsylvania
EARL BLUMENAUER, Oregon
SHELLEY BERKLEY, Nevada
GRACE NAPOLITANO, California
ADAM B. SCHIFF, California
DIANE E. WATSON, California

THOMAS E. MOONEY, SR., Staff Director/General Counsel
ROBERT R. KING, Democratic Staff Director

Subcommittee on Europe
ELTON GALLEGLY, California, Chairman

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DOUG BEREUTER, Nebraska
PETER T. KING, New York
RICHARD BURR, North Carolina
JOHN COOKSEY, Louisiana
NICK SMITH, Michigan
BENJAMIN A. GILMAN, New York
JAMES A. LEACH, Iowa
DAN BURTON, Indiana
ERIC CANTOR, Virginia

EARL F. HILLIARD, Alabama
BRAD SHERMAN, California
ROBERT WEXLER, Florida
JIM DAVIS, Florida
ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York
WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT, Massachusetts
BARBARA LEE, California
JOSEPH CROWLEY, New York

VINCE MORELLI, Subcommittee Staff Director
VALERIE VAN BUREN, Democratic Professional Staff Member
PATRICK PRISCO, Professional Staff Member
KELLY MCDONALD, Staff Associate

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C O N T E N T S

    Markup of H. Con. Res. 131, Congratulating the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on the tenth anniversary of the reestablishment of their full independence

    H. Con. Res. 131

    Markup of H. Res. 200, Relating to the transfer of Slobodan Milosevic, and other alleged war criminals, to the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia, and for other purposes

    H. Res. 200

    Markup of H. Con. Res. 58, Urging the President of Ukraine to support democratic ideals, the rights of free speech, and free assembly for Ukrainian citizens

    H. Con. Res. 58

LETTERS, STATEMENTS, ETC., SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD

The Honorable Elton Gallegly, a Representative in Congress from the State of California, and Chairman, Subcommittee on Europe:

Prepared statement on H. Con. Res. 131
Prepared statement on H. Res. 200

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Prepared statement on H. Con. Res. 58

CONGRATULATING ESTONIA, LATVIA AND LITHUANIA ON ANNIVERSARY OF REESTABLISHMENT OF FULL INDEPENDENCE; TRANSFER OF SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR YUGOSLAVIA; URGING THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE TO SUPPORT DEMOCRATIC IDEALS, ETC. FOR UKRAINIAN CITIZENS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2001

House of Representatives,
Subcommittee on Europe,
Committee on International Relations,
Washington, DC.

    The Subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 10:53 a.m. in Room 2172, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Elton Gallegly [Chairman of the Subcommittee] presiding.

    Mr. GALLEGLY. The Subcommittee will come to order. Pursuant to notice, I call up H. Con. Res. 131, congratulating the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on the 10th anniversary of their independence, for purposes of markup. Without objection, the resolution will be considered as read and open for amendments at any point, and I ask unanimous consent that Chairman Gallegly's statement be made a part of the record. Are there any other opening statements?

    [The concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 131, follows:]

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    The Baltic states have proven their democratic credentials, their commitment to economic development and growth, their friendship to the United States and their burning desire to fully integrate into the Europe and the West by pursuing membership in both the European Union as well as NATO.

    And in the case of Lithuania, their prowess in basketball, at least when they play Members of this Congress.

    I commend Mr. Smith for introducing this resolution. I congratulate the people of the Baltic states for their total commitment to freedom and democracy. And I wish them well with respect to their applications for EU and NATO membership.

    I urge passage of this resolution.

    Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman?

    Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Gilman.

    Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, this is an appropriate resolution, congratulating the Baltic on the anniversary of the reestablishment of their full independence. It is not that long ago that we were forced to commemorate every year Captive Nations Week, when we mourned for those nations and people under the Soviet yoke.

    Now we can be gratified in particular by the progress of the Baltic nations. They have much to be proud of: modern economies, political systems, educated people. They are on the verge of joining the various Euro-Atlantic institutions such as NATO and the EU.

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    Americans can be proud as well. We have stood in solidarity with the people of the Baltics during those dark years. When we pass this resolution, we will be stating to the Baltic nations, well done, deservedly so. Thank you for yielding, Mr. Chairman.

    Mr. Gallegly. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Are there further opening statements?

    [No response.]

    Mr. GALLEGLY. The resolution was introduced by our colleague from New Jersey, Mr. Smith, recognizing this important event and congratulating the people of the Baltic nations on the 10th anniversary of their restored independence. Are there any amendments?

    [No response.]

    Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I move the resolution.

    Mr. Gallegly. The question is on the gentleman's motion from the State of New York to favorably report the resolution. All in favor?

    [A chorus of ayes.]

    Mr. GALLEGLY. Those opposed?

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    [No response.]

    Mr. GALLEGLY. The ayes have it, and so ordered. The resolution is reported.

    Pursuant to the notice, I call up Resolution H. Res. 200, urging the President to encourage democratic ideals in Ukraine for purposes of markup, H. Res. 200, regarding the transfer of Slobodan Milosevic to the Hague.

    [The resolution, H. Res. 200, follows:]









    Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman?

    Mr. GALLEGLY. On June 28th of this year, the government of Serbia took a bold and welcome move when it decided to permit the transfer of Slobodan Milosevic to the Hague. This event demonstrated in a very meaningful way the desire of many in Serbia, especially within the government, to move away from the past. It also showed the effectiveness of conditioning economic assistance to Yugoslavia on concrete political progress.

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    While I am sympathetic with the view of many Serbs that Milosevic should have stood trial in Yugoslavia for his crimes against the people of that nation, it is probably best that he be transferred because it sends a strong message to other nations still harboring criminals that they must be apprehended and handed over to account for their actions.

    This resolution commends Serbian Prime Minister Djindjic for taking this bold action. The resolution also calls for the other countries of the Balkans, such as Bosnia, to follow the Serb lead and arrest and turn over others indicted for war crimes.

    Finally, the resolution calls on the Yugoslavian government to release any remaining innocent prisoners, including political prisoners, currently being held in Serbia. I urge the support of this resolution, and I would yield to the gentleman, the Ranking Member, Mr. Hilliard.

    [The prepared statement of Mr. Gallegly follows:]

PREPARED STATEMENT OF THE HONORABLE ELTON GALLEGLY, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AND CHAIRMAN, SUBCOMMITTEE ON EUROPE

H. RES. 200

    On June 28 of this year, the government of Serbia took a bold and welcome move when it decided to permit the transfer of Slobodan Milosevic to the Hague.

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    This event demonstrated, in a very meaningful way, the desire of many in Serbia, especially within the government to move away from the past.

    It also showed the effectiveness of conditioning economic assistance to Yugoslavia on concrete political progress.

    While I am sympathetic with the view of many Serbs that Milosevic should have stood trial in Yugoslavia for his crimes against the people of that nation, it is probably best that he was transferred because it sends a strong message to other nations still harboring criminals that they must be apprehended and handed over to account for their actions.

    This resolution commends Serbian Prime Minister Djindjic for taking this bold action.

    The resolution also calls on the other countries of the Balkans, such as Bosnia to follow the Serb lead and arrest and turn over others indicted for war crimes.

    Finally, the resolution calls on the Yugoslav government to release any remaining innocent prisoners, including political prisoners currently being held in Serb prisons.

    I urge support for this resolution.

    Mr. HILLIARD. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, this resolution is very timely, and I am very happy that you have called this meeting to consider it, and it is long overdue.

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    As we know, Slobodan Milosevic has committed a large number of crimes over a whole decade. He has caused considerable disruption in his country and the world. The world needs to try him for all of those atrocities and the things he has done to the people not only of his country, but of Europe. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

    Mr. GALLEGLY. Thank you. Mr. Hilliard. Mr. Gilman.

    Mr. GILMAN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to support this resolution. I thank our distinguished Chairman, the gentleman from California, Mr. Gallegly, for crafting it. Former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleberger was the first world leader to label Milosevic a war criminal.

    It has clearly taken much too long to bring him to justice. It nevertheless is astonishing to see him finally being brought into jail. For that, we owe the American military leaders who fought over in Kosovo and occupy it today, but also the brave people of Serbia who ended finally Milosevic's reign of terror over their nation. Now let us fulfill our commitment to the Yugoslav people in reliance on their surrender of Slobodan Milosevic. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

    Mr. Gallegly. I thank the gentleman from New York. Are there any other statements?

    Mr. ENGEL. Yes, Mr. Chairman.

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    Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Engel.

    Mr. ENGEL. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am going to support the resolution and vote for it, but I have a slight bit of trepidation that I would just like to share with the Subcommittee. I believe that it is commendable, and as you know, I chair the Albanian Issues Caucus, along with Sue Kelly. I think that turning over Slobodan Milosevic to the War Crimes Tribunal in the Hague is very commendable and a big step forward. But there is still a lot that needs to be done.

    I believe that aid and foreign assistance, as it says in paragraph four here, ought to go to Serbia—it says the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, but the fact is it is really Serbia—and as long as they continue to cooperate in the matter of war criminals. There are other things that they need to do as well, and I want to just state some of those things because I do not think that the United States should continue to provide aid for them just because they are cooperating with the issue of war criminals.

    There are a lot of other issues, and you do touch on it in the resolution, Mr. Chairman, when you talk about encouraging the release of all innocent political prisoners held in Serbian prisons. There are still many ethnic Albanian prisoners who were taken illegally into Serbia when Milosevic's troops were forced out by NATO and captured these people and held them as prisoner, and many of them are still in Serbian prisons. We need to see those people released, and we need to see more action on the part of the government of Serbia.

    We also need for them to stop the rhetoric, because while Mr. Djindjic has done what he should be doing and other leaders as well, some of the rhetoric, the anti-Albanian rhetoric and the rhetoric about Kosovo, has not been abated. In fact, some of the rhetoric is even worse than the rhetoric of Slobodan Milosevic, and they have not, the government in Belgrade, made clear what their plans are vis-a-vis a lot of other issues: The future of Kosovo; the fact that they should be willing to cooperate with NATO and the United States; the fact that there is a divided city in Kosovo, Mitrovica, where the Serbs illegally are putting armed people there.

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    So I think that there are a lot of issues to be resolved before we can assume that things are honky dory. I do think the resolution is a step in the right direction, but I would urge the Subcommittee to continue to monitor the actions of Mr. Djindjic and the Belgrade government with regard to Kosovo and other matters. And I thank you, and I will vote for the resolution.

    Mr. GALLEGLY. I appreciate the comments of the gentleman from New York, and I think that they are well taken, and this Committee will continue to move in that direction.

    Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I move the resolution.

    Mr. Gallegly. First of all, I have an amendment at the desk. Would the clerk please report?

    Ms. MCDONALD. Amendment to H. Res. 200 offered by Mr.——

    Mr. GALLEGLY. I ask unanimous consent that the amendment be considered as read.

    I have an amendment to offer to H. Res. 200 merely making technical changes and correcting certain vocabulary for accuracy, and everyone should have a copy. The question occurs on the amendment. All in favor?

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    [A chorus of ayes.]

    Mr. GALLEGLY. Any opposed?

    [No response.]

    Mr. GALLEGLY. The ayes have it.

    Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I now move the resolution.

    Mr. Gallegly. There is one other amendment. Mr. Delahunt?

    Mr. DELAHUNT. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk.

    Mr. GALLEGLY. The clerk will read.

    Ms. MCDONALD. Amendment to H. Res. 200 offered by Mr. Delahunt.

    Mr. GALLEGLY. I ask unanimous consent that the amendment be considered as read. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.

    Mr. DELAHUNT. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This amendment simply would replace the second ''whereas'' in the resolution with the phrase that puts the transfer of Milosevic into an historical context. It ties the transfer to the transition of international justice that was begun by the Nuremburg and Tokyo tribunals after World War II, and that has long been supported by the United States.

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    In addition, this amendment would more clearly show how the transfer of Milosevic and other war criminals is a sign that the days of impunity are over in the Balkans. When those who have power are exempt from punishment, it is impossible to establish the rule of law, and the problems of the Balkans will never be solved until a rule of law takes root throughout the region, whether it be Serbia, Kosovo, Croatia, wherever. And as cosponsor of the underlying resolution, I believe this amendment strengthens the resolution and urge its support. I yield back.

    Mr. GALLEGLY. The question is on the amendment by the gentleman, Mr. Delahunt. All in favor?

    [A chorus of ayes.]

    Mr. GALLEGLY. Any opposed?

    [No response.]

    Mr. GALLEGLY. The ayes have it.

    Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Chairman?

    Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Engel?

    Mr. ENGEL. Yes. I just want to say that Mr. Delahunt's amendment certainly does strengthen it, and I welcome it. And I just want to point out that in sending Milosevic to the Hague, the Prime Minister, Mr. Djindjic, was instrumental in doing that, but the President of Serbia, Mr. Kostunica, resisted every step of the way and resisted the kinds of things we are talking about. So I just do think it is very important to highlight Mr. Delahunt's amendment. Thank you.

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    Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I now move the resolution.

    Mr. SMITH. Mr. Chairman? I would like to speak on the motion.

    Mr. Gallegly. Okay. Very well. The gentleman has 5 minutes.

    Mr. SMITH. Maybe a question to you, Mr. Chairman. Why are we doing this? Does this do any good? We have passed many resolutions. I am just wondering some basis or an explanation of where this goes. As a new Member of the Committee, I guess I am wondering if we are just sort of patting ourselves on the backs for doing a good, virtuous thing and saying, look, we should do right things, and so we are criticizing or commending the rest of the world. Help me understand what good this resolution does.

    Mr. GALLEGLY. If the gentleman would yield, I think if that was the only thing that it did, it is probably worthwhile doing. But the fact remains is I think it is important that we send a message that there is still work that is undone there, and they are moving in the right direction.

    Milosevic is only the first of what I hope will be many to follow that will be brought to justice, and I do not think that there will be any stability in that region of the world until we get some of the second- and third-tier people in jail. And I think that this resolution sends that message that we are encouraged, but we want to see continued movement. That is more than patting on the back, although I am not sure that if that was all it did, that it would be inappropriate.

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    Mr. SMITH. What happens with this resolution? We pass it. Do we convey this resolution and track it, send it to somebody?

    Mr. GALLEGLY. It will be moved to the Full Committee.

    Mr. SMITH. No, no. I mean after it has passed out of the House.

    Mr. GALLEGLY. The embassies will get copies of it. You know, it has been known to happen that when we take a formal action here, and it has passed by 435 Members or the majority of 435 Members, that hopefully it does get the attention of people in the right places, and that would be our objective.

    Mr. SMITH. I reclaim my time. That is what I was wondering. Do we have any record that it does get attention? It seems to me the real attention would be our help in repairing some of the damage that we did to Serbia, and we are doing that, of course,——

    Mr. DELAHUNT. Would the gentleman yield?

    Mr. GALLEGLY. The gentleman, Mr. Delahunt.

    Mr. SMITH. Certainly.

    Mr. DELAHUNT. I think that the question that is posed by the gentleman from Michigan is a good question. And when I first came onto this Committee, I had the same question. I failed to articulate it. But since I have been on the Committee and have traveled extensively, particularly in Central America and Latin America, I discovered that these resolutions do have an impact in the country and in the region to which they are addressed.

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    And while we might not consider them of great consequence here in Washington, I can assure my colleague that they do have an impact, and they do, in fact, send a message, and they do have influence in terms of the behavior of countries which we either applaud or which we express concern about. But I think it is a very good question, but I have noted on several different occasions that particularly the leadership in various countries have taken notice significantly of some of these resolutions.

    Mr. SMITH. Well, I thank the gentleman. You know, I have just come from the farm, where actions speak louder than words, but maybe words once in a while help a little bit.

    Mr. GALLEGLY. Would the gentleman yield?

    Mr. SMITH. Oh, sure. And I would yield back all my time.

    Mr. GALLEGLY. I would just like to follow up with one little statement. I think the absence of us taking a position or making a statement, the silence could be deafening, and the fact that it does not matter; we just accept these things and move ahead. I think it is important that we do make a statement, and that is what we are doing. And hopefully the word will spread like wildfire.

    There is a motion. The question occurs on the motion from the gentleman from New York. All in favor, say aye.

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    [A chorus of ayes.]

    Mr. GALLEGLY. Any opposed?

    [No response.]

    Mr. GALLEGLY. The ayes have it, and the motion is agreed to. Without objection, the resolution will be reported favorable to the Full Committee in the form of a single amendment in the nature of a substitute incorporating the amendments adopted here today. Without objection, the staff is directed to make any technical and conforming amendments.

    Pursuant to the notice, I call up H. Con. Res. 58, promoting democracy in the Ukraine, for purposes of markup. Without objection, the resolution will be considered as read and open for amendment at any point.

    [The concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 58, follows:]

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    [The prepared statement of Mr. Gallegly follows:]

PREPARED STATEMENT OF THE HONORABLE ELTON GALLEGLY, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AND CHAIRMAN, SUBCOMMITTEE ON EUROPE

H. CON. RES. 58

    Ten years ago this August 24, as the Soviet empire was collapsing throughout Eastern Europe, the people of Ukraine realized a dream come true—independence.

    Since then, Ukraine has made significant progress in the pursuit of true democracy, real market-based economic reform and solid social justice.

    In addition, Ukraine has become a good friend to the United States, an important partner in that region and is eagerly pursuing membership in the European community.

    And while this resolution, introduced by our Colleagues, Marcy Kaptur and Kurt Weldon acknowledges Ukraine independence and the progress it has made, it also points out the fragilities of Ukraine's political and economic situation.

    Recent turmoil in that important country involving the elements of the Government, rival political parties in the Parliament, the ouster of a reformist Prime Minister and the death of several prominent journalists, has raised questions about the direction Ukraine is taking.

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    This resolution congratulates the people of Ukraine on the tenth anniversary of their independence, but calls on all factions in the government to renew their commitment to democracy and economic reform and calls on the President to help to resolve the cases of the dead journalists so that Ukraine can get past these troubles and assume its important position of responsibility in that part of the world.

    I urge support for this resolution.

    Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman?

    Mr. Gallegly. I just have a brief statement, Mr. Gilman. Ten years ago, this August 24th, as the Soviet Empire was collapsing throughout Eastern Europe, the people of the Ukraine realized a dream come true: independence. Since then, Ukraine has made significant progress in the pursuit of true democracy: real, market-based, economy reform and solid, social justice.

    In addition, Ukraine has become a good friend of the United States, an important partner in the region, and it is eagerly pursuing membership in the European community. And while this resolution introduced by our colleagues, Marcy Kaptur and Curt Weldon, acknowledges Ukrainian independence and the progress it has made, it also points out the fragilities of Ukraine's political and economic situation.

    Recent turmoil in that important country involving the elements of the government, rival political parties in the parliament, the ouster of a reformist Prime Minister, and the death of several prominent journalists has raised questions about the direction Ukraine is taking.

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    This resolution congratulates the people of Ukraine on the 10th anniversary of their independence. It calls on all factions in the government to renew their commitment to democracy and economic reform and calls on the President to help resolve the cases of the dead journalists so that Ukraine can get past these troubles and assume its important position of responsibility in that part of the world, and I would urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Hilliard?

    Mr. HILLIARD. Mr. Chairman, I join you in thanking our colleagues for bringing forth this resolution. It is not only timely, but we hope that it will continue to encourage the country to carry on its democratic ideals. And I am very happy that the resolution set forth a call for the continued investigation of the journalist that was killed.

    As you know, free speech and the right of assembly is extremely important for democracy. In order for democracy to stand, the true pillar of democracy, which is the media, must be free, and it must be free without any reprehensible-type conduct like we have seen occur here in the past. So we hope that this resolution will continue to inspire those who quest for freedom in the Ukraine. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

    Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Bereuter?

    Mr. BEREUTER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First of all, I would like to commend you for taking up this legislation. And I thank our colleagues that introduced it. Congressman Kaptur and Congressman Weldon of Pennsylvania certainly are among the people that have followed most closely the happenings within Ukraine, and they are very supportive of democracy, of course, in Ukraine.

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    Few countries in Eastern Europe are more important to the United States than Ukraine, and we want to continue to support their independence. In fact, the United States, while not paying enough attention to Ukraine, has been rather generous in terms of the total allocation of funds going to Ukraine. But in contrast to the two previous resolutions, this ought to be considered a wakeup call to Ukraine, particularly to the President, President Kuchma.

    Not only is there a problem in the society today which is keeping American investment from proceeding in Ukraine because of the fact that corruption is endemic and pervasive, but there is clearly a violation of human rights. The death of these journalists, the repression of freedom in the media—these are unacceptable in the course of democracy in Ukraine. And this, in fact, should be a strong message to the President that these things are unacceptable in the OECD. These things are unacceptable in Europe. These things are unacceptable in the United States.

    And while I commend my colleagues for putting this forth, and I think it is entirely appropriate, it ought to be placed in the context that we are supportive of democracy in Ukraine. We are supportive of the Ukrainian people. Ukraine is taking a wrong turn, and they need to reexamine it in a hurry. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

    Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Engel?

    Mr. ENGEL. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I support the resolution. I think it strikes the right balance. I agree with Mr. Bereuter. Ukraine is a very important country. I intend to go there later on this year. My four grandparents were born there. I have been there.

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    We have to be very careful because, as a former part of the Soviet Union, Russia is always trying to pull Ukraine back into its orbit, always trying to push Ukraine eastward rather than westward, and like the nation of Belarus, which is on the border of Ukraine, Belarus has really become a puppet of Russia once again, and there are always those urges within Ukraine, within some people of Ukraine, to make the same kinds of moves, which would be a disaster, I think, for the West and for democracy and for freedom. And so we have to be very careful to continue to woo Ukraine and pull them westward.

    They are now our fourth-largest U.S. aid recipients, and I think that they are a very, very important country, but we should not gloss over the very serious problems that they have had. And President Kuchma has to be told about—I have mentioned to him, as have others—confronted him with this. It is totally unacceptable, with the journalists disappearing and being murdered, and no one is held accountable for it.

    So, again, I think that this resolution strikes the right balance. I am totally supportive of stronger and strengthened U.S. ties with Ukraine, and I certainly will support the resolution.

    Mr. BEREUTER. Will the gentleman from New York yield?

    Mr. ENGEL. Yes. Certainly.

    Mr. BEREUTER. I just want to commend you on your statement. I think your perspective is exactly right, and I very much appreciate your comments. Thank you.

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    Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman?

    Mr. Gallegly. The gentleman from New York, Mr. Gilman.

    Mr. GILMAN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to rise in support of the pending resolution with the Ukraine. The situation in Ukraine, while not as bad as it is painted in some publications, nevertheless causes us genuine concern. And it has been pointed out by our colleagues today, it is regrettable that as Ukraine is prepared to celebrate its 10th anniversary of freedom from the Soviet rule, too many questions are still being raised with regard to its commitment to democracy.

    We would be much more gratified in passing a fully positive resolution. It is hoped that before too long any questions about the status of human rights and democracy in Ukraine will soon be resolved and that future resolutions can be unreservedly positive. The people of Ukraine deserve that kind of support, and we hope that Ukraine will progress in a proper direction. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

    Mr. DELAHUNT. Would the gentleman yield?

    Mr. GILMAN. I would be pleased to yield.

    Mr. DELAHUNT. Just for a minute. In the context of the question raised by Mr. Smith, and, again, I want to associate myself with the remarks of Mr. Bereuter and Mr. Engel; I think they are on the mark. But given the question raised by Mr. Smith, I would pose through the Chair to the staff whether the resolution, upon its passage, is transmitted to the Ambassador from the Ukraine to the United States because, again, echoing Mr. Bereuter's comment, I think this is a wakeup call that is necessary to remind the government of the Ukraine that, in fact, this Committee and Members of Congress are monitoring and are reviewing what is going on within the Ukraine relative to human rights.

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    Mr. Gallegly. Would the gentleman yield? I think——

    Mr. GILMAN. I will be pleased to yield.

    Mr. Gallegly. Just for the record, the DCM of the Ukraine was in our office last night on this very issue, so it has the attention. I yield back.

    Mr. GILMAN. I yield back the balance of my time.

    Mr. Gallegly. I have an amendment at the desk. Would the clerk please report?

    Ms. MCDONALD. Amendment in the nature——

    Mr. GALLEGLY. I ask unanimous consent to waive the reading. The substitute amendment I am offering on H. Con. Res. 58 makes technical changes, eliminates or rephrases one or two of the original ''whereases'' and resolve clauses to reflect changes in the circumstances in Ukraine and adds several knew ''whereases'' and resolve clauses reflecting the upcoming 10th anniversary of Ukraine independence and special relationships that we have with Ukraine. All of these changes have been provided to the authors of the original resolution, and they have agreed, and I would urge the adoption of the amendment. The question is on the——

    Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I move the amendment.

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    Mr. Gallegly. All in favor?

    [A chorus of ayes.]

    Mr. GALLEGLY. Any opposed?

    [No response.]

    Mr. GALLEGLY. The ayes have it, and the motion is approved.

    The question now appears on the resolution——

    Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I move the resolution.

    Mr. Gallegly.—the resolution, as amended. The motion is to move the resolution, as amended. All in favor, say aye.

    [A chorus of ayes.]

    Mr. GALLEGLY. Any opposed?

    [No response.]

    Mr. GALLEGLY. The ayes have it, and the motion is approved. Without objection, staff is directed to make technical and conforming changes, and the Committee stands adjourned. Thank you very much.

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[Whereupon, at 11:21 a.m., the Subcommittee was adjourned.]