IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 415
Urging the Government of Ukraine to ensure a democratic, transparent, 
and fair election process for the presidential election on October 31, 2004. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 5, 2004
Mr. HYDE (for himself, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, and Mr. LANTOS) sub-
mitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on International Relations 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Urging the Government of Ukraine to ensure a democratic, 
transparent, and fair election process for the presidential 
election on October 31, 2004.
Whereas the establishment of a democratic, transparent, and 
fair election process for the 2004 presidential election in 
Ukraine and of a genuinely democratic political system 
are prerequisites for that country’s full integration into 
the Western community of nations as an equal member, 
including into organizations such as the North Atlantic 
Treaty Organization (NATO); 
Whereas the Government of Ukraine has accepted numerous 
specific commitments governing the conduct of elections 
as a participating State of the Organization for Security
•HCON 415 IH 
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), including provisions 
of the Copenhagen Document; 
Whereas the election on October 31, 2004, of Ukraine’s next 
president will provide an unambiguous test of the extent 
of the Ukrainian authorities’ commitment to implement 
these standards and build a democratic society based on 
free elections and the rule of law; 
Whereas this election takes place against the backdrop of 
previous elections that did not fully meet international 
standards and of disturbing trends in the current pre-
election environment; 
Whereas it is the duty of government and public authorities 
at all levels to act in a manner consistent with all laws 
and regulations governing election procedures and to en-
sure free and fair elections throughout the entire country, 
including preventing activities aimed at undermining the 
free exercise of political rights; 
Whereas a genuinely free and fair election requires a period 
of political campaigning conducted in an environment in 
which neither administrative action nor violence, intimi-
dation, or detention hinder the parties, political associa-
tions, and the candidates from presenting their views and 
qualifications to the citizenry, including organizing sup-
porters, conducting public meetings and events through-
out the country, and enjoying unimpeded access to tele-
vision, radio, print, and Internet media on a non-dis-
criminatory basis; 
Whereas a genuinely free and fair election requires that citi-
zens be guaranteed the right and effective opportunity to 
exercise their civil and political rights, including the right 
to vote and the right to seek and acquire information
•HCON 415 IH 
upon which to make an informed vote, free from intimi-
dation, undue influence, attempts at vote buying, threats 
of political retribution, or other forms of coercion by na-
tional or local authorities or others; 
Whereas a genuinely free and fair election requires govern-
ment and public authorities to ensure that candidates 
and political parties enjoy equal treatment before the law 
and that government resources are not employed to the 
advantage of individual candidates or political parties; 
Whereas a genuinely free and fair election requires the full 
transparency of laws and regulations governing elections, 
multiparty representation on election commissions, and 
unobstructed access by candidates, political parties, and 
domestic and international observers to all election proce-
dures, including voting and vote-counting in all areas of 
the country; 
Whereas increasing control and manipulation of the media by 
national and local officials and others acting at their be-
hest raise grave concerns regarding the commitment of 
the Ukrainian authorities to free and fair elections; 
Whereas efforts by the national authorities to limit access to 
international broadcasting, including Radio Liberty and 
the Voice of America, represent an unacceptable infringe-
ment on the right of the Ukrainian people to independent 
information; 
Whereas efforts by national and local officials and others act-
ing at their behest to impose obstacles to free assembly, 
free speech, and a free and fair political campaign have 
taken place in Donetsk, Sumy, and elsewhere in Ukraine 
without condemnation or remedial action by the Ukrain-
ian Government;
•HCON 415 IH 
Whereas numerous substantial irregularities have taken place 
in recent Ukrainian parliamentary by-elections in the 
Donetsk region and in mayoral elections in Mukacheve, 
Romny, and Krasniy Luch; and 
Whereas the intimidation and violence during the April 18, 
2004, mayoral election in Mukacheve, Ukraine, represent 
a deliberate attack on the democratic process: Now, 
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That the Congress—
(1) acknowledges and welcomes the strong rela-
tionship formed between the United States and 
Ukraine since the restoration of Ukraine’s independ-
ence in 1991; 
(2) recognizes that a precondition for the full 
integration of Ukraine into the Western community 
of nations, including as an equal member in institu-
tions such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organiza-
tion (NATO), is its establishment of a genuinely 
democratic political system; 
(3) expresses its 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 in Ukraine; 
(4) urges the Government of Ukraine to guar-
antee freedom of association and assembly, including 
the right of candidates, members of political parties,