MacKay Fields Questions on Ukraine Visit

NP - The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs took part in a July 25 conference call on his visit to Ukraine/Slovakia, July 16-20, 2007. The following excerpts are answers to media questions.  The New Pathway did not participate as staff was on summer vacation break.

Foreign Affairs Minister Peter Mackay met with many of the top political leaders including Prime Minister Yanukovych, Minister Yatseniuk and opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko. As President Yushchenko was in Crimea, he and Mackay had a lengthy and substantive discussion by telephone. Mackay had met with Mrs. Yushchenko prior to this when they attended a children’s camp (for orphans in the Carpathian Mountains near Vorohta), sponsored by the Yushchenko Family and Help Us Help the Children based in Canada. Mackay stated that “we had an opportunity to discuss … some very important issues pertaining to Ukraine’s future and Canada’s interest and abiding interest in ensuring that Ukraine remains firmly on the path of democratic development, that they seek further governmental reforms and good governance practices. I emphasized Canada’s full support for Ukraine … CIDA’s annual program of some $20 million which goes to encouraging Ukraine along this path of integrating towards, for example, Euro-Atlantic institutions including NATO and EU ascendancy.” Also, it is Canada’s intention to have observers to the OSCE, the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe led observation mission for the September 30th election.

As a final comment, Mackay stated that “despite great optimism and significant progress since the Orange Revolution, Ukraine is firmly committed to democratic development but there is much work to be done and I would describe some trepidation about the September 30th election and the need for the support of the international community … it was a very timely visit on the part of our department. Canada (and I) emphasized the need for holding free, fair and well-managed elections and a smooth transition to a well-functioning government as a post-election outcome ... this is going to be of critical importance for people to have confidence going forward in the democratic process and in their own future in Ukraine.”

Oleh Romanyshyn from Ukrai-nian Echo Weekly: Mr. MacKay, the Russian Federation has recently suspended its participation in the treaty limiting convention of weapons in Europe. How is this rather ominous development going to affect the balance of power in Europe both on a continental level and regional level? Secondly, specifically what should the countries bordering on Russia such as the Baltic States, Georgia and particularly Ukraine, which is a participant of that treaty, should do now in this situation? Thirdly, what should western countries do on the ground to address this new security challenge?

Hon. Peter MacKay: … To the issue, I think this is the reason why Canada in particular and the international community more generally, have to demonstrate clear support for Ukraine at this important time for democratic process in the upcoming election, for the sovereign state of Ukraine and that this should not be viewed as any kind of intimidation. While that may or may not be the intent, I think it’s very important that Canada among other countries stand strong with Ukraine and that they need to know that countries like ours will be there to support them and to work with them and to see that they continue to develop and reach their aspirations in both NATO and EU should they choose to move further in that direction. This clearly has implications elsewhere. Belarus who have been more closely associated with Russia and all neighbouring countries I think are quite concerned and worried not only as to what this signals but what Russia’s true intentions are here. … Ukraine is to decide for itself, as it should in a free and fair election, what they are taking from this signal from Russia … other countries express in no uncertain terms they’re not going to be bullied or intimidated by this latest development.

Simon Kouklewsky from CFNB Radio. Montreal, Ukrainian Times: The Ukrainian community has certainly been very grateful for the Canadian government’s involvement in the democratic process in Ukraine, certainly with the Orange Revolution and thereafter. A sore spot for the community in the past few years is the cutbacks which were experienced by the Ukrainian language programming at Radio-Canada International. It is felt that that was or is an important aspect to help with the democratic process in Ukraine. Would you please comment on that and also one more question regarding the famine genocide in Ukraine. Last week you laid flowers at the monument for the 1932-33 famine victims. Is this an indication that Canada will support Ukraine’s resolution to recognize the great famine of ‘32-‘33 as genocide at the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly?

Hon. Peter MacKay: Well, yes, I did attend the monument as many political leaders and visitors from our country have done and we think it is very important of course to recognize the horrible suffering that took place during that very sad and tragic period. As far as any resolutions, these are the type of matters that normally do go to Parliament for a vote. They’re normally brought forward through parliamentary channels and I believe in fact there are some resolutions that may come to a vote. I’m not going to make any further statement other than to say that when that vote comes there’ll be a decision taken. We clearly recognize that this event has enormous significance for Ukrainians here in Canada but also of course in Ukraine as far as trying to reconcile and come to grips with this very, very sad period of their history.

Now with regard to language issues, again, this is a subject matter, a policy decision and the cutbacks that you’re describing occurred under a previous government. I’ve announced just in the last week while I was there that we are putting new money through CIDA into various initiatives including a youth juvenile justice initiative also to support democratic practices and other programs that exist. On the language front, this really is yet to be determined as to what the final amount will be (in addition to) $20 million funded annually through CIDA …

Oksana Bashuk-Hepburn from Nasha Doroha: Minister. … There was great hope on the part of Ukrainians after their independence that the West would embrace them. It turned out that most Western countries had a Russia-centric focus which said no to NATO and no to nuclear arms as a result of which … (are) under Russian control. To what extent can Canada provide leadership as it did during the Orange Revolution in creating a block of some 20-some-odd ambassadors of Western countries to stand firmly behind Ukraine in order to counterbalance the enormous pressure that Russia can exert both on the West and inside Ukraine on the non-Ukrainian democratic voices.

Hon. Peter MacKay:  … We recognize we do have responsibilities here where Canada had played a leadership role in the past. We need to continue to exert that positive influence. That’s why we made the announcement very publicly with respect to election observers and we will be sending a significant number there including some members of parliament. …Speaker of the Parliament of Canada, Noel Kinsella, had preceded my visit with some of his Senate colleagues … We feel that the outward demonstration of support in addition to monetary support and election monitors is part of the package and equation but it will require Canada’s voice to rally other countries to do the same, to make similar commitments, public demonstrations of support for democracy in Ukraine, for a free, fair, open and transparent election … I’ve had occasion, in speaking with some of my counterparts and colleagues, to encourage them …to also step forward and show the type of very real and tangible support necessary for Ukraine.