OSCE: RESPONSE TO AMBASSADOR KOPAJ, OSCE PROJECT

UNCLAS STATE 059372

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OSCE PREL PGOV PHUM UP
SUBJECT: OSCE: RESPONSE TO AMBASSADOR KOPAJ, OSCE PROJECT
COORDINATOR IN UKRAINE


1. Post is authorized to present the following statement at
the June 11, 2009, Permanent Council meeting in Vienna:

Begin text:

Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.

The United States warmly welcomes to the Permanent Council
the Project Coordinator in Ukraine, Ambassador Lubomir Kopaj.
We thank you for your comprehensive report. We appreciate
your dedication and strong leadership.

The United States supports the excellent work being conducted
by the OSCE,s Project Coordinator in Ukraine in all three
dimensions. The PCU operates in a challenging environment to
advance OSCE commitments, and we commend your efforts to
strengthen your partnership with the Ukrainian Government and
other partners. We also appreciate your efforts to improve
the fiscal and administrative management of OSCE projects in
Ukraine.

We also commend the PCU,s strategic approach to addressing
democracy development, good governance, and the rule of law
concerns. The anti-corruption, human rights, and
institutional capacity building activities carried out by the
Office will further progress in overall governance in Ukraine.

The Office,s collaboration with government officials,
stakeholders in the Ukrainian Parliament, academics, and
others on developing a new electoral code and strengthening
the capacity of the electoral commission demonstrate a keen
understanding of the host country,s needs. In light of the
upcoming election, we were pleased to see the Office,s
recent donation of computers and other equipment to improve
the voter registration process.

The United States urges increased focus on promoting
tolerance among Ukraine,s ethnic populations to further
social cohesiveness and stability. The PCU can and should
reinforce the work of the High Commissioner on National
Minorities in reducing inter-ethnic tensions and mitigating
conflict.

We also support the Office,s continued efforts in the
military and environmental areas. In this regard, we
strongly support the initiative to aid Ukrainian authorities
in eliminating excess stockpiles of conventional ammunition
and rid the environment of thousands of old munitions,
including mlange rocket fuel, that pose both safety and
security risks in various regions. Continued efforts in
removing and destroying decades-old munitions require
increased technical and financial resources, and we urge
efforts to leverage the necessary assistance from a range of
sources, including bilaterally, to supplement OSCE assistance.

In light of the ongoing financial crisis that continues to
confront Ukraine, we strongly support the PCU,s assistance
to the host country in establishing conditions conducive to
economic development, as well as its efforts to simplify and
improve transparency in relevant regulatory mechanisms.

Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
CLINTON