Ukraine/Jackson-Vanik - 03.23.2006

President Bush Signs Bill, Graduates Ukraine From Jackson-Vanik

NCSJ Attends White House Signing

(all photos by NCSJ) President Bush speaks at the signing. (l.-.r): Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN), Reps. Jim Gerlach (R-PA) and Tom Lantos (D-CA), Pres. Bush, and Reps. Candice Miller (R-MI), Curt Weldon (R-PA) and Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA).
Pres. Bush signs H.R. 1053	(foreground) Former NCSJ Chairman Harold Luks and Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN)
(l.-r.) NCSJ President Dr. Joel Schindler, Executive Director Mark Levin,  Vice-President Lesley Israel, Rep. Curt Weldon (R-PA), and former Chairman Harold Luks	Ukraine's Ambassador to the U.S. Dr. Oleh Shamshur, NCSJ Executive Director Mark Levin, President Dr. Joel Schindler, and Vice-President Lesley Israel

White House transcript: President Signs Bill to Strengthen Trade Between U.S. and Ukraine

White House Executive Order: Presidential Proclamation granting normal trade relations

News coverage
Jewish Week	Mar. 24	Ukraine Restrictions Lifted
JTA	Mar. 24	Bush lifts restrictions on Ukraine
Reuters	Mar. 23	Bush opens up trade with Ukraine
See also: Congress Graduates Ukraine From Jackson-Vanik

 

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Reuters - 03.23.2006

Bush opens up trade with Ukraine


WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- President George W. Bush on Thursday signed legislation to open up trade with Ukraine, saying it marked the beginning of a new era in U.S. relations with the former Soviet state.

The legislation will establish permanent normal trade relations with Ukraine by revoking a Cold War provision tying its trade status to the rights of Jews to emigrate.

"It's going to create new opportunities, economic opportunities, for both our countries," Bush said.

The legislation repeals trade restrictions against Ukraine due to the 1974 Jackson-Vanik amendment, which links U.S. trade benefits to the emigration and human rights policies of Communist or former Communist countries.

"The bill I sign today marks the beginning of a new era in our history with Ukraine," Bush said.

"Times have changed. The Cold War is over, and a free Ukraine is a friend to America and an inspiration to those who love liberty," he said, citing the "Orange Revolution" which put Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko in power.

The United States and Ukraine signed an agreement earlier this month that paves the way for Ukraine to join the World Trade Organization.

"We support Ukraine's goal of joining the WTO, and we will help resolve the remaining steps required for entry as quickly as possible," Bush said.


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New York Jewish Week - 03.24.2006

Ukraine Restrictions Lifted

By James D. Besser, Washington Correspondent

On Thursday President Bush is scheduled to sign legislation “graduating” Ukraine from the provisions of the 1974 Jackson-Vanik amendment — the law that gave teeth to the movement to free Soviet Jews.

Several prominent Jewish leaders supported that move, arguing that Ukraine should be rewarded for making progress in fighting anti-Semitism and expanding human rights — despite continuing problems.

“Symbolically, graduation has great significance for Ukraine. For them, it means acceptance as a member in good standing in the community of nations,” said Mark Levin, executive director of NCSJ, a Soviet Jewry group.

He said the Ukrainian government has committed to “fighting anti-Semitism and addressing the issue of property restitution. We believe that the government will not forget about these issues, now that they have been graduated.”

Jackson-Vanik links favorable trade status for the former Soviet Union and its republics to their human rights policies. The amendment was regarded as the most effective tool in winning freedom for Soviet Jews in the 1970s and 1980s.

Rep. Tom Lantos (D-Calif.), another longtime Jackson-Vanik backer, said he supported graduation for Ukraine only “reluctantly” because of concerns about continuing anti-Semitism — including anti-Semitism promoted by the university MAUP, which has more than 50,000 students.

David Harris, executive director of the American Jewish Committee, said, “This landmark measure is a sound U.S. endorsement of democratic trends in Ukraine.”


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Jewish Telegraphic Agency - 03.24.2006

Bush lifts restrictions on Ukraine

(JTA) President Bush signed legislation graduating Ukraine from Soviet-era trade restrictions. 

“Times have changed,” Bush said Thursday before signing the bill graduating the former Soviet republic from the Jackson-Vanik restrictions. “The Cold War is over, and a free Ukraine is a friend to America and an inspiration to those who love liberty.” 

The sanctions were imposed in 1974 because of the Soviet Union’s emigration and human rights policies toward Jews. 

Members of a coalition supporting normalized trade status with Ukraine, including NCSJ: Advocates on behalf of Jews in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States and Eurasia, attended the signing ceremony.

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