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October 1, 2003
The Honorable Richard Lugar
Chairman
U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Lugar,
On behalf on the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, I would like to draw your
attention to Senator Campbell's bill (S. Res. 202) regarding the genocidal
Famine that occurred in Ukraine during 1932-33.
The U.S.-Ukraine Foundation is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization
established in 1991 to facilitate democratic development, encourage free
market reform, and enhance human rights in Ukraine. The Foundation creates
and sustains channels of communication between the United States and Ukraine
for the purpose of Building Peace and Prosperity Through Shared Democratic
Values. USUF is dedicated to strengthening the mutual objectives of both
nations while advancing Ukraine as a cornerstone of regional stability and
as a full partner in the community of nations.
This November marks the 70th anniversary that horrible tragedy perpetrated
by the Soviet regime against the Ukrainian people. Over the past twenty
years, the United State Senate has addressed this issue by several
legislative acts condemning the brutality of the Soviet regime and its
policies towards the Ukrainian people. These acts include:
§ H. Con. Res. 111, sponsored by former Congressman Solomon in 1983
to commemorate the Ukrainian famine of 1933
§ S. 2456, sponsored by a former Senator Bill Bradley in 1984, which
established a Commission to study the 1932-33 famine caused by the Soviet
government in Ukraine
§ Public Law: 100-340 dated June 17 of 1988, which extended the life
of the Commission of the Ukraine Famine. The Commission findings concluded
the events of 1932-33 could be defined as "genocide" according to the
official terminology used in the United Nations
§ Public Law: 101-642, sponsored by a former Senator Robert W.
Kasten in 1990 establishing the week of November 3 to November 10 to be a
commemorative memorial to the victims of the Ukrainian famine of 1932-33 and
to condemn the policies of russification to suppress Ukrainian identity
§ S. Con. Res. 122, sponsored by Senator Carl Levin in 1998 that the
65th anniversary of the Ukrainian famine of 1932-33 should serve as a
reminder of the former Soviet Union's repressive policies toward the
Ukrainian people
Today, it is extremely important that S. Res. 202 passes the U.S. Senate.
Senate Resolution 202 is critical not only for symbolic purposes but it
sends a powerful message to the democratic forces in Ukraine that the U.S.
Senate supports the development of free institutions that embrace the true
meaning of democracy, liberty, and prosperity. As you know, there are
political forces that do not respect the democratic path chosen by the
Ukrainian people twelve years ago and seek to hinder Ukraine's democratic
and free-market progress. They will neither apologize for the atrocities
the Ukrainian people had to endure in 1932-33 nor recognize the events of a
man-made massive starvation even took place in Ukraine. These forces are
the main obstacle to the country's progress.
It is also imperative for Ukraine to continue to "look West". Your support
of Ukraine shows that the United States cares about Ukraine's geo-strategic
importance and its efforts to integrate into the Euro-Atlantic institutions.
Your support is especially important now as another key event that leads to
the November 2004 presidential elections in Ukraine.
Your support also indicates to the rest of the world that the inhumanities
of 1932-1933 are intolerable now as they were seventy years ago.
Sixteen United States Senators have agreed to be the original co-sponsors of
this legislation. They are: Senator George Allen (R-VA), Senator Norm
Coleman (R-MN), Senator Michael DeWine (D-OH), Senator Richard Durbin
(D-IL), Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Senator George Voinovich (R-OH),
Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE), Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Senator
Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), Senator Russ
Feingold (D-WI), Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Senator Paul Sarbanes
(D-MD), Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA),
and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA).
Your support of Senate Resolution 202 means a great deal to U.S.-Ukraine
relations. The U.S.-Ukraine Foundation appreciates your time and attention
to this matter.
Sincerely,
(signed)
John A. Kun, Vice President/Chief Operating Officer
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