UNITED STATES STATEMENT ON UKRAINE

United States Mission to the OSCE
Ambassador David T. Johnson

Vienna, February 15, 2001

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The United States remains committed to a partnership with Ukraine. A partnership based on democratic reform, the rule of law, government accountability, and respect for human rights and basic freedoms.

We call attention to the importance of respecting freedom of the press and assembly, parliamentary independence, and the rule of law consistent with human rights observance. These are critical to Ukraine's efforts to continue on its path of democratization, economic reform, and integration into European and Euro-Atlantic institutions.

The United States agrees with the European Union that the Ukrainian government needs to conduct a prompt, thorough and transparent investigation into Mr. Gongadze's disappearance. As noted by the report from the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, the investigation has been slow and marked by serious problems.

We agree that all acts of harassment of media, including, and perhaps especially, through the selective use of tax and other police, should cease immediately.

We agree with the recommendations issued in the Media Freedom Representative's March 2000 report on the media situation in Ukraine and believe they should be implemented.

The Ukrainian government recently reiterated its commitment to the use of constitutional, legal means to resolve political issues, to engage in dialogue with the opposition, and to take steps to conclude and conduct a more thorough and transparent investigation in the Gongadze case. We were, therefore, surprised by the tone of the February 13 joint public statement by President Kuchma, Prime Minister Yushchenko, and Speaker of the Parliament Plyushch.

We stand ready to provide technical expertise to assist with the Gongadze investigation and to work with Ukraine, whom we consider a partner, to develop strong and transparent institutions and practices to support democracy and the rule of law.