Help Ukraine "Graduate" from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment
For Immediate Release
The ODFFU has joined a coalition of Ukrainian American and international organizations to help Ukraine "graduate" from the Jackson-Vanik amendment. We urge our members and branch chapters to write their respective members of congress asking for their support to free Ukraine from under the Jackson-Vanik amendment.
The amendment is a relic of the cold war and has long outlived its purpose with regard to Ukraine. Following recent democratic changes in Ukraine and the government's expressed commitment to the protection of minority rights, Ukraine deserves nothing less than normal trade relations with the United States.
In his "Four Freedoms Address" to Congress President Roosevelt declared the, "freedom from want -- which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants -- everywhere in the world." Today, economic security is no less important to peace in the world.
Just over a year ago, the United States stood with the people of Ukraine who defended their right to choose their leaders and have their votes counted. Today, you can help defend Ukraine's right to "freedom from want." Write or call your congressman and ask for their support to graduate Ukraine from the Jackson-Vanik amendment.
Please note: The efforts of ODFFU members and Ukrainian Americans in general resulted in Ukraine's graduation from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment on March 23, 2006 when President Bush signed a law to strengthen trade ties between Ukraine and the United States.
President Bush's speech and photos of the signing ceremony are available on the website of the White House.
