Press and Information


VISIT OF SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL

Secretary Powell and President-elect Yushchenko spoke January 23 in Kyiv, Ukraine, prior to Yushchenko's inauguration. Secretary Powell also praised "this magnificent success on your part to prevail in open, free and fair elections and now to become President."

On January 22, en route to Kyiv to attend the inauguration, Powell recollected "the period of tension in November" following the initial presidential election results that the international community, and eventually the Ukrainian Supreme Court, determined "didn't have legitimacy."

Powell disclosed to reporters that throughout November and December - when the results of the election were not only challenged by the Ukrainian courts and the international community, but by tens of thousands in the streets of Kyiv - he "stayed in close touch" with Yushchenko's predecessor, President Leonid Kuchma, as well as "my Russian colleagues."

Powell said that all recognize that it is in everyone's best interest "for Ukraine to have good relations with both Russia and with the international community, the United States, and with all of its neighbors."

He offered U.S. help to the new Ukrainian administration, stating that "we have experience in reform efforts; we have experience in the development of civil society, political institutions. The economy is doing reasonably well, and we hope we can enhance the performance of his economy." Powell said that he hoped to have the chance to talk with Ukrainian officials "about economic reform and considerations with respect the WTO [World Trade Organization] and also greater involvement in the transatlantic partnership."

Although Powell submitted his resignation as Secretary of State in November, he is continuing in the job until the U.S. Senate confirms his successor.

Click here to read the transcript of Secretary Powell and then President-elect Yushchenko at the conclusion of their January 23 meeting

Click here to read the transcript of Secretary Powell and then President-elect Yushchenko at the beginning of their January 23 meeting

Click here to the read the transcript of Secretary Powell's remarks en route to Kyiv on January 22

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