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SRES 320 IATS

Recognizing the achievements of the people of Ukraine in pursuit of freedom and democracy, and expressing the hope that the parliamentary elections on September 30, 2007, preserve and extend these gains and provide for a stable and representative government.

September 18, 2007

Mr. BIDEN (for himself, Mr. LUGAR, and Mr. CARDIN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

September 21, 2007

Committee discharged; considered and agreed to

Recognizing the achievements of the people of Ukraine in pursuit of freedom and democracy, and expressing the hope that the parliamentary elections on September 30, 2007, preserve and extend these gains and provide for a stable and representative government.

Whereas the people of Ukraine have overcome financial and political hardships to achieve a democratic system in which decisions have been reached without violence and through free and fair elections;

Whereas Ukraine has already conducted elections considered free, fair, and consistent with the principles of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on 2 previous occasions;

Whereas the people of Ukraine deserve an elected and representative government that can work together and pass legislation to improve the quality of life for all Ukrainians; and

Whereas the people of Ukraine have successfully established a growing free press, an increasingly independent judiciary, and a respect for human rights and the rule of law, which enhance freedom, stability, and prosperity: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) acknowledges the cooperation and friendship between the people of the United States and the people of Ukraine since the restoration of Ukraine's independence in 1991 and the natural affections of the millions of Americans whose ancestors emigrated from Ukraine;

(2) expresses the admiration of the American people for the ongoing success of the Ukranian people at removing violence from politics, for which Ukrainians should be proud, in particular the free and fair presidential elections of December 26, 2004, and the parliamentary elections of March 26, 2006;

(3) encourages the people of Ukraine to maintain the democratic successes of the Orange Revolution of 2004, and expresses the hope that the leaders of Ukraine will conduct the September 30, 2007, elections in keeping with the standards of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), of which both the United States and Ukraine are participating states;

(4) urges the leaders and parties of Ukraine to overcome past differences and work together constructively to enhance the economic and political stability of the country that the people of Ukraine deserve; and

(5) pledges the continued assistance of the United States to the continued progress and further development of a free and representative democratic government in Ukraine based on the rule of law and the principle of human rights.