Dick Lugar: “Today I offer a resolution celebrating the December 26 election in Ukraine. I am pleased that Ukraine has dominated…”

“Today I offer a resolution celebrating the December 26 election in Ukraine. I am pleased that Ukraine has dominated newspaper headlines and media broadcasts all over the world for the last sixty days. In that time, extraordinary events have occurred. A free press has revolted against government intimidation and reasserted itself. An emerging middle class has found its political footing. A new generation has found its hope for the future. A society has rebelled against the illegal activities of its government. It is in our interests to recognize and protect these advances. I congratulate the people of Ukraine in their undeniable quest for freedom and democracy. Furthermore, I would also like to congratulate President Viktor Yushchenko, who was inaugurated last Sunday, for his victory. The December 26 election in Ukraine was a tribute to Ukraine's maturing democracy and places Ukraine on a path to join the community of European democracies. A fraudulent and illegal election would have left Ukraine crippled. The new president would have lacked legitimacy with the Ukrainian people and the international community. With the stakes so high, I commend President Bush, his Administration, and the international community for providing the people of Ukraine with the support they needed to withstand the threats to free and fair elections.”