Ukraine/Jackson-Vanik - 03.08.2006

Congress Graduates Ukraine From Jackson-Vanik


Statements

NCSJ Press Release
U.S. House floor statements and extended remarks
U.S. Senate floor statements

News coverage
JTA:	Mar. 09	Soviet-era bill passes hurdle
AP:	Mar. 09	Yushchenko welcomes move to lift Soviet-era law
AP:	Mar. 09	Congress OKs Trade Relations With Ukraine
Reuters:	Mar. 08	House okays normal trade relations for Ukraine

 

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NCSJ - 03.08.2006

U.S. House Graduates Ukraine From Jackson-Vanik


WASHINGTON, March 8 -- Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1053, introduced by Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-PA), a bill that grants permanent normal trade relation status to Ukraine. The bill passed by the overwhelming margin of 417 to 2. President Bush is expected to sign the bill shortly.

NCSJ strongly supported Ukraine’s graduation as a way to recognize Ukraine’s democratic gains and the growth and development of Ukraine’s Jewish community. NCSJ is a key member of the Jackson Vanik Graduation Coalition, which worked with former U.S. ambassadors to Ukraine, Ukrainian-Americans, business groups and non-governmental organizations to lift the Jackson-Vanik restrictions from Ukraine.

NCSJ, as the National Conference on Soviet Jewry, was one of the original supporters of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment to the Trade Act of 1974. The amendment denies normal trade status to “non-market economy” countries with restrictive or discriminatory emigration rules. Although it focused originally on free emigration, the amendment has come to encompass the observance of internationally recognized human rights. 

NCSJ Chairman Dr. Robert Meth spoke, alongside Reps. Curt Weldon (R-PA), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) and Gerlach, at a press conference convened by the Jackson-Vanik Graduation Coalition earlier today. Dr. Meth noted that areas of concern remain, including anti-Semitism. At NCSJ’s last meeting with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, he and other officials reiterated their commitment to fight against anti-Semitism.

“NCSJ will continue to work with the government of Ukraine to address ongoing anti-Semitism,” said Dr. Meth.

Dr. Meth also discussed Ukraine’s commitment to the welfare of its Jewish community, shown in President Yushchenko’s pledge to standardize a process for returning Jewish communal property, ensuring that property restitution does not become subject to political whim.


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Reuters - 03.08.2006

House okays normal trade relations for Ukraine

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The U.S. House of Representative voted on Wednesday to establish permanent normal trade relations with Ukraine by revoking a Cold War provision tying Kiev's trade status to the rights of Jews to emigrate.

The 417-2 vote came two days after the United States and Ukraine signed an agreement paving the way for the former Soviet Republic to join the World Trade Organization.

It also follows Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's complaint on Tuesday that Russia was still subject to the 1974 Jackson-Vanik amendment. U.S. trade officials say they hope to reach a WTO accession deal with Moscow this year.

The Senate approved a similar Ukraine bill in November, but must vote again because of rules requiring legislation affecting tariffs to begin in the House.

The United States has found Ukraine and Russia in compliance with Jackson-Vanik freedom of emigration provisions since 1994. However, lawmakers have resisted repealing the measure for many communist or formerly communist countries until they complete a deal to join the WTO.

Both Republicans and Democrats praised Ukraine for progress it has made since 2004 Orange Revolution, which put Ukraine President Viktor Yushchenko in office.

U.S. approval of permanent normal trade relations would show support for Yushchenko's efforts to ensure March 26 parliamentary elections are "free and fair," said Rep. Ben Cardin, a Maryland Democrat.

Yushchenko has described WTO entry as critical for Ukraine's export-led economy.

Kiev still needs to reach bilateral deals with Australia and several other trading partners, as well as finishing a multilateral accord with all WTO members.

Rep. Tom Lantos, a California Democrat, said he "reluctantly" supported removing Jackson-Vanik for Ukraine. Although the country does allow Jews to emigrate, it has failed to deal with "rampant anti-Semitism," he said.

He pointed to one Ukrainian university, the Interregional Academy of Personal Management, that he called a "disgrace to the civilized world" because of its anti-Semitism.

Although Yushchenko has condemned anti-Semitism and criticized the university, his government should go further and revoke the university's license, Lantos said.


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Associated Press - 03.09.2006

Congress OKs Trade Relations With Ukraine

By Jim Abrams

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congress voted Thursday to end Cold War trade restrictions on Ukraine, opening the way for the former Soviet republic to join the World Trade Organization.

The congressional action, and President Bush's expected signature, would free Ukraine from a 1974 measure _ called the Jackson-Vanik Amendment _ that links trade benefits to the emigration and human rights policies of former or current communist states.

"Although challenges lie ahead, this legislation points out the importance of Ukraine's commitment to economic reforms and the evolution of democracy," Rep. Sander Levin, D-Mich., said Wednesday when the House voted 417-2 to give Ukraine permanent normal trade relations.

The Senate passed the measure by voice vote Thursday without debate.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Richard Lugar, R-Ind., said that since the end of the Cold War, Ukraine has "demonstrated a commitment to greater freedom and to free market principles." He urged Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko to continue his no-tolerance policy for anti-Semitism in the country.

Yushchenko, whose pro-Western government was elected in January 2005, welcomed the House vote, saying, "Consistent U.S. steps in support of Ukraine on the way of reform are evidence of strategic partnership between the countries."

Ukraine hopes to join the WTO this year, and removal of U.S. trade restrictions is necessary for that to happen.

Since 1993, the U.S. has granted Ukraine normal trade relations on a temporary, annual basis.

U.S. exports to Ukraine, including poultry and agriculture machinery, totaled $531.7 million last year. Imports from the former Soviet republic, including steel and coke used in making steel, totaled $1.1 billion.



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Associated Press - 03.09.2006

Ukraine's president welcomes U.S. Congress' move to lift Soviet-era human rights law

(AP) -- President Viktor Yushchenko on Thursday welcomed the U.S. Congress vote to repeal Cold War-era human rights legislation, which had stood in the way of Ukraine joining the World Trade Organization.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to lift the so-called Jackson-Vanik amendment on Wednesday, following a similar vote in the Senate, and U.S. President George W. Bush is expected to sign it soon.

Ukraine had long pushed Washington to lift the 1974 amendment that tied trade to Soviet policies on Jewish emigration and other human rights concerns.

Congress' vote is just the latest in a series of moves by the United States in support of Ukraine, including last month's decision to grant the former Soviet republic market economy status and this month's agreement on opening new access to each other's markets. The moves come ahead of critical March 26 parliamentary elections, in which voters are being given a stark choice of continuing Ukraine's pro-Western path or turning back toward Moscow.

"Consistent U.S. steps in support of Ukraine on the way of reforms are evidence of strategic partnership between the countries," Yushchenko said.

Economics Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk predicted that the repeal will help double the US$1.5 billion (-1.26 million) in annual trade between the countries and to increase the export of Ukraine metals to the United States.

Ukraine is hoping to join the WTO this year, and hopes to win entry before its neighbor, Russia, to avoid any possible conditions that could delay its membership. 


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Jewish Telegraphic Agency - 03.09.2006

Soviet-era bill passes hurdle

(JTA) The U.S. House of Representatives approved a measure that would graduate Ukraine from the Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions. The House voted Wednesday to lift sanctions on Ukraine, which were imposed in 1974 because of the Soviet Union’s emigration and human rights policies for Jews.

The measure passed 417-2 Wednesday, after passing the Senate last November. Several Jewish groups, including NCSJ: Advocates on behalf of Jews in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States and Eurasia, pressed for Ukraine's graduation. “Jackson-Vanik recognizes degrees of compliance, and Ukraine has met these requirements,” said the chairman of the NCSJ, Robert Meth.

But the Anti-Defamation League announced its opposition to lifting the restrictions last year, saying that Ukraine had not made enough improvements in issues of human rights.

Successive U.S. administrations have annually waived the Jackson-Vanik requirements since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
 

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