Kuchma Letter to Bush - 12.17.2001

 

(Translation from Ukrainian)

President of Ukraine
                                     
December 17, 2001,
City of Kyiv

Dear Mr. President,

I would like to thank you for your recent letter in which you highly estimate the position of Ukraine on actual issues of international political life and its important contribution to the strengthening of international security.  I was particularly pleased to convey from the President of the United States to the Ukrainian people words of gratitude for active role of Ukraine within the international antiterrorism coalition and its solidarity with America in joint struggle against terrorism.

Ukraine is determined to remain among the active participants of the international antiterrorism coalition and to continue to make tangible contribution to multifaceted efforts for this end.  Relations of strategic partnership between Ukraine and the United States is a defining factor for determination of our position with respect to supporting American people in their efforts to combat international terrorism.

In this regard, I would like to welcome the intentions of the U.S. Administration to initiate the process of ending of Jackson-Vanik Amendment application to Ukraine by the U.S. Congress.  We regard this step as a desire of the United States to give a new impetus to the development of the Ukrainian-American relations of strategic partnership and to abandon the last remnants of the Cold war era.

On my part, I deem it important to underline that during the years of independence our state, perhaps the only one of the post-Soviet countries, not only managed to maintain inter-ethnic peace and tolerance among the religious confessions, but also established conditions for the development of ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious identity of national minorities.  This task is one of the major constitutional duties of the state.

Flourishing of the Jewish community, generally attributed, as “the Jewish Renaissance in Ukraine”, is a vivid proof of the effectiveness of the state policy in this sphere.  The Jewish movement has become a real influential public force: currently in Ukraine there are more than 500 Jewish organizations that are very active in all spheres of social, cultural and religious life.

In a relatively short historical period a network of Jewish religious organizations has been virtually restored, and today 236 communities, united in 5 religious centers, operate in Ukraine.  They have their periodicals, educational institutions and Sunday schools that give them an opportunity to satisfy spiritual needs of adherents to Judaism.  In recent years the state has returned to representatives of this confession 54 former synagogues, 13 of which being historical and cultural monuments of national importance.

Today over 20 thousand children attend Jewish day schools, most of which are financed from the state budget.  About 40 Jewish periodicals are published on a regular basis.  There are five television programs, two of which are broadcasted nationally.

The Government of Ukraine continues to take measures to ensure rights of the Jewish minority.  In particular, the authorities of the executive power are preparing to hand over 11 worship buildings now in possession of various owners.  Apart from that, a number of projects aimed at rebuilding and maintaining Jewish historic monuments and cemeteries are being implemented.  In this regard it is worth mentioning construction in Kyiv of a memorial to Nazi victims of Jewish minority.

The executive power of Ukraine pays great attention to creation of proper conditions for annual pilgrimage of Braslav Hassids to their sacred places on the territory of our country.  Only this year over 10 thousand believers from 17 countries including the United States made pilgrimage to the grave of rabbi Nahman in Uman, Cherkaska oblast.

Important steps have been taken in Ukraine toward further strengthening legislation to ensure rights of the Jewish minority.  In particular, the Government of Ukraine submitted to the Verkhovna Rada a proposal on adoption of modifications and amendments to the Law of Ukraine on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organization.  Those amendments envisage obligatory return of communal properties to religious organizations, prohibition of privatization of cemeteries and Jewish cultural monuments as well as effective protection of these objects.  The improvement of legislation regulating the legal status of cemeteries and burial sites is being additionally considered.

The state pays special attention to creation of tolerant relations between representatives of different nationalities and confessions as well as preventing extremism and anti-Semitism.  As a result of such a policy, no facts of antagonism on the ground of anti-Semitism nor bias attitude toward members of Jewish public and religious organizations have been reported in the last years.  I take this opportunity to inform you of the preparation to the anti-Fascist congress “For a World Without Terrorism, Xenophobia and Chauvinism” to be held in Kyiv on the initiative of influential Jewish organization and under my patronage.

I would like to stress that Ukraine would further implement balanced and transparent policy aimed at development and rebirth of national minorities.  The relevant efforts of the state authorities will be taken in close coordination with national minority organizations, including Jewish ones, to ensure that their needs are fully satisfied.  In this area we count on understanding and assistance of the American side.

Yours sincerely,

(signed)

Leonid KUCHMA


The Honorable Mr. George W. Bush
President of the United States of America
Washington, D.C.