The Ukrainian economy is entitled to its market status recognised, the Premier stressed during the conference. He called the United States to reassure Ukraine of its goodwill to step up mutual understanding, and revoke the notorious Jackson-Vanik amendment in Ukraine's respect.
Mr. Bush said Ukrainian economic progress was impressive-and compared Ukraine with China, a country whose economy is skyrocketing, as he sees on frequent trips there.
As the Ukrainian Cabinet press service is reporting, the conferees appraised Ukraine-USA partnership, made forecasts of October next's Ukrainian presidential poll, and took stock of burning international issues-the anti-terror cause, and Iraqi settlement prospects. The visitor said his son, present US President, was thankful to Ukraine for backing anti-terror efforts.
Mr. Bush, Sr., also met in conference, which took longer than an hour, with Ukrainian opposition party leaders-Victor Yuschenko, of the party Our Ukraine, Yulia Timoshenko, the Fatherland, and Alexander Moroz of the Socialist Party, Our Ukraine PR say in a statement. The three foremost opposition MPs told the American guest about political reprisals and encroachment on freedom of speech. Democratic change remains a burning problem in Ukraine, they pointed out.
George Bush, Sr., was invited on his private visit by parliamentarian Victor Pinchuk and Interpipe Corporation.
He has not appeared in Ukraine for thirteen years, and is eager to see what has changed since then. Mr. Bush looks forward to opinion exchanges on the global future with the host country's VIPs and community activists, says Novosti/Ukraine news agency.
As he visited Ukraine during his presidency, in August 1991, shortly before the USSR collapsed, George Bush, Sr., was trying to convince its political leaders that Ukraine ought to give up its independence drive, and not to secede from the Soviet Union.
