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[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 115 Introduced in House (IH)]

110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 115

  Urging all sides to the current political crisis in Ukraine to act 
 responsibly and use dialogue to resolve the crisis and ensure a free 
 and transparent democratic system in Ukraine based on the rule of law.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 17, 2007

   Mr. Hastings of Florida (for himself, Ms. Kaptur, and Mr. Levin) 
 submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to 
                    the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 
  Urging all sides to the current political crisis in Ukraine to act 
 responsibly and use dialogue to resolve the crisis and ensure a free 
 and transparent democratic system in Ukraine based on the rule of law.

Whereas the Ukrainian people, most dramatically during the 2004 Orange 
        Revolution, clearly proved their ability to resolve political 
        differences through nonviolent protest and in a manner consistent with 
        democratic principles;
Whereas Ukraine currently faces a political crisis, rooted in hastily conceived 
        constitutional reforms, that could jeopardize that country's hard-fought 
        and substantial democratic gains;
Whereas on April 2, 2007, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko issued a decree 
        dissolving the Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) and calling for early 
        parliamentary elections, asserting that the government of Prime Minister 
        Viktor Yanukovich has ``exceeded its mandate and is attempting to 
        monopolize political power'';
Whereas the Verkhovna Rada subsequently passed a resolution alleging that the 
        presidential decree was unconstitutional and has refused to comply;
Whereas Ukraine's Constitutional Court has been asked to rule on whether 
        President Yushchenko's decree violates the Ukrainian Constitution;
Whereas several Constitutional Court judges have stated that political pressure 
        and threats were preventing their efforts to end Ukraine's political 
        deadlock;
Whereas demonstrations by supporters of all sides to the crisis are being held 
        in the streets of Kyiv; and
Whereas the United States Congress has consistently demonstrated strong 
        bipartisan support for an independent, democratic Ukraine: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),  
That Congress--
            (1) acknowledges and welcomes the strong relationship 
        formed between the United States and Ukraine since the 
        restoration of Ukraine's independence in 1991;
            (2) urges all sides to the current political crisis in 
        Ukraine to act responsibly and use dialogue to resolve the 
        crisis;
            (3) urges all sides to adhere to the rule of law and 
        resolve disputes in a peaceful manner consistent with Ukraine's 
        democratic values and national interest, in keeping with its 
        commitments as a member of the Organization for Security and 
        Cooperation in Europe (OSCE);
            (4) expresses strong and continuing support for the efforts 
        of the Ukrainian people to establish a full democracy, the rule 
        of law, and respect for human rights;
            (5) pledges its continued assistance to the strengthening 
        of a free and transparent democratic system in Ukraine based on 
        the rule of law and the continued development of a free market 
        economy in Ukraine; and
            (6) reaffirms its commitment to Ukraine's independence, 
        sovereignty and territorial integrity, and assumption of 
        Ukraine's rightful place as a full member of the international 
        community of democracies.
                                 <all>
```