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Action Ukraine Briefing with Congressman Curt Weldon March 17, 2004 - Washington, DC by Oksana Xenos I attended the March 17, 2004, “Action Ukraine 2004 Working Lunch with Curt Weldon” at the Washington, DC, offices of the Citizens Network of Foreign Affairs. About 25-30 people were present, including U.S. Treasury and State Department offi cials, U.S. and Ukraine embassy officials, representa tives of Ukrainian organizations, and media personnel. Congressman Weldon, regrettably, was a no-show. His legislative director, Xenia Horczakiwskyj, who arrived just minutes before the meeting ended at about 1:30 p.m., announced that the Congressman was unable to attend because he had been assigned to chair an impor tant congressional committee and could not break away. While we were waiting, expecting the Con gressman to appear, the luncheon meeting was con ducted by the host, Ihor Gawdiak, on behalf of the Ac tion Ukraine Coalition. He opened the floor to anyone who wished to speak about the topic of this meeting, specifically, the upcoming presidential election in Ukraine and the U.S. government’s posture toward this election. A number of attendees, among them, Vera Andrushkiw of the US-Ukraine Foundation and Stephen Nix of the International Republican Institute, having just recently returned from Ukraine, shared their observations and thoughts with other participants. Their comments led to a discussion as to whether the OSCE is moving with sufficient aggressiveness. Dr. Paul Carter, the State Department’s Ukraine Desk Political Officer, noted that although the U.S. government does not support any particular can didate in this election, if the election “does not go well,” Ukraine’s relationship with the West, specifi cally with the United States, will likely deteriorate. When asked what exactly he meant by the election “not going well,” he explained that he was referring to the Ukrainian government’s pressure tactics on the media and the opposition. If these actions continue to occur between now and the time of the election, then the election, regardless of who is elected, will be con sidered to have not “gone well.” In that case, he ob served, Ukraine may find itself “lumped in” with other not-so-progressive nations, rather than allied with the United States and Europe. Christopher Grewe, the Treasury Department’s International Economist and Desk Officer for Ukraine, chimed in on this discussion to reiterate Dr. Carter’s comments. A number of attendees severely criticized the Ukrainian government’s decision to suspend broad casting into Ukraine by Radio Free Europe, Voice of America, and other international broadcasters. It was noted that despite Ukrainian officials’ pronouncements to the contrary, Ukraine-based affiliates of these inter national broadcasters are still being intimidated and pressured not to sign any contracts. As a result, the only way to transmit a radio signal into Ukraine, at least for now, is by short wave. Russia’s radio signal beams, however, are significantly stronger and typi cally drown out those of Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, etc. This discussion prompted Xenia Horcza kiwskyj, on behalf of Congressman Weldon, to request a list of all Ukrainian radio stations willing to carry Voice of America and other international broadcasters. In response to queries as to why the U.S. gov ernment seems to be more critical of Ukraine than of Russia, one U.S. government official responded that a reason for this may be that Russia, unlike Ukraine, has not asked to become “part of the West.” Dr. Bill Gleason of the State Department’s Foreign Service Institute spoke at considerable length about his activities, including his upcoming research trip to Ukraine and his five-year (1995-2000) profes sorship experience at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. As chair of the Advanced Ukrainian Studies office at the Foreign Service Institute, he instructs prospective U.S. Embassy officials in preparation for their tours of duty in Ukraine. When I told him I am originally from De troit, he said he had also grown up in Detroit and owed his interest in international affairs, specifically Ukrain ian and Eurasian Studies, to his Ukrainian aunt. During the course of the luncheon I had occa sion to inform Dr. Gleason about the activities of the UNWLA. I noted, among other things, that we are not a “feminist-type” women’s organization, but rather an organization dedicated to the unification of women of Ukrainian descent for the purpose of promoting our Ukrainian cultural heritage. I added that we span all generations, all political leanings, and all religious af filiations. Apparently quite impressed, Dr. Gleason ex tended an invitation to me to speak to his class on May 11, 2004, about the UNWLA, its activities, organiza tional history, impact on Ukraine, and other related themes. I gladly accepted, subject to the UNWLA’s and my employer’s approval.
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