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Statement of U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO)
U.S. SENATE, Washington, D.C., May 5, 2004
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U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO)
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Mr. President, as Co-Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, I introduce today
a concurrent resolution urging the Government of Ukraine to ensure a
democratic, transparent and fair election process for the presidential
elections scheduled to be held in late October. An identical resolution is
being introduced by Chairman of the House International Relations Committee
Henry Hyde and my colleague and Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, Rep.
Chris Smith. I am pleased to note that the Commission's Ranking Member,
Mr. Dodd, and the Ranking Member of the Foreign Relations Committee, Mr.
Biden, are original cosponsors of the resolution.
The Helsinki Commission, which has long monitored and encouraged human
rights, rule of law and democracy in Ukraine, continues to be a stalwart
supporter of Ukraine's development as an independent, democratic and
market-oriented state. There is a genuine desire in the United States for
Ukraine to succeed in this process and for the long-suffering Ukrainian
people to fully realize their dreams and aspirations. This resolution, by
encouraging fair, open and transparent elections, is a concrete expression
of the commitment of the U.S. Congress to the Ukrainian people.
The resolution underscores that an election process and the establishment of
a genuinely democratic political system consistent with Ukraine's
freely-undertaken OSCE commitments is a prerequisite for Ukraine's full
integration into the Western community of nations as an equal member,
including into NATO. The October elections will be vital in determining
Ukraine's course for years to come and they present the Ukrainian
authorities with a real opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to OSCE
principles and values.
Unfortunately, Ukraine's pre-election environment has already been decidedly
problematic and of increasing concern to the United States and the
international community. During the course of this year I have shared
specific concerns with Senate colleagues, particularly in terms of the
media. The resolution introduced today focuses squarely on key problem
areas, including increasing control and manipulation of the media and
attempts by national authorities to limit access to international
broadcasting, including Radio Liberty and Voice of America. Among other
concerns are the blatant obstacles to free assembly and a free and fair
political campaign as well as substantial irregularities in several recent
elections.
An egregious example of how not to conduct elections was the mayoral
election held two weeks ago in the western Ukrainian city of Mukacheve.
This election was marred by intimidation, violence, fraud and manipulation
of the vote count, electoral disruptions and irregularities. Despite strong
evidence indicating that a candidate from the democratic opposition "Our
Ukraine" bloc had won, the territorial elections commission announced as
winner the candidate of a party led by the head of Presidential
Administration, Viktor Medvedchuk. That some of the abuses and violence took
place in front of OSCE observers, and that some of the victims of violence
were members of the Ukrainian parliament, only underlines the brazenness of
these actions. The outlandish conduct of the Mukacheve elections not only
casts doubt over their outcome, but when coupled with other recent
problematic elections, including in Constituency No. 61 in Donetsk, could be
a barometer for the October presidential elections.
The resolution I introduce today outlines those measures the Ukrainian
authorities need to take - consistent with their own laws and international
agreements - for a free, fair, open and transparent election process. The
Ukrainian authorities at all levels, including the executive, legislative
and judicial branches, need to ensure an election process that enables all
of the candidates to compete on a level playing field. This includes the
various institutions and agencies involved directly or indirectly in the
elections process, such as the Central Election Commission, the Ministry of
Internal Affairs, Procuracy, the State Security Service (SBU), Tax
Administration, as well as the Constitutional and Supreme Courts.
Mr. President, Ukraine's October presidential elections should be a
watershed for the future direction of that country of great potential. It
is abundantly clear that a small clique have a vested interest in
perpetuating the outmoded status quo. Ukrainian authorities need to
radically improve the election environment if there is to be hope for these
elections to meet OSCE standards. The question is whether their perceived
self-interest will trump the interest of the people of Ukraine. Having
restored the independence of their proud land, the Ukrainian people deserve
an opportunity to overcome the legacy of the past, and consolidate
democracy, human rights and the rule of law. [Senator Campbell]
FOR PERSONAL AND ACADEMIC
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