US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright noted in her report
to US Congress on February 18 that Ukraine had achieved sufficient progress
in economic reforms, including satisfaction of American investors' complaints,
US State Department spokesman James Foley told the media.
Ukraine may expect to receive the whole amount of aid envisioned by
the Freedom Support Act, $195 million. But Ms. Albright emphasized in her
statement that "the US Administration and Congress are still concerned
over the unstable progress of reforms and complicated investment climate
in Ukraine." She called on the Ukrainian government to speed up the process
of reforms, improve the climate for foreign investors and settle remaining
disputes. All this means the USA is clearly dissatisfied with the state
of affairs in Ukraine. Yet, it is not going to leave this country unaided,
given its importance in America's own strategic plans.
As we know, there were 12 such disputes last year. Now, on the eve of
certification, the question is about nine. The Americans usually do not
disclose which companies are dissatisfied with the Ukrainian climate, but
it is known that the point is about such firms as Gala Radio, Perekhid-Media,
Elaent-Kyiv, Grand Hotel, R&J Trading, et al. Only Freedom Farm,
according to US Ambassador in Ukraine Steven Pifer, has been able to solve
problems in its favor. Obviously, what has been certified to is no radical
change in the rules of the game which would satisfy one and all (Ukrainians
included) and certainly no special privileges for US investors.
The statement of Ukraine's considerable progress and the decision on
certification is simply a signal for a renewed IMF loan to Ukraine. This
is in turn a signal for others. As to the US, it is committed to pushing
Ukraine forward. In reality, the processes of certification and begging
for IMF loans are hardly positive for Ukraine. Yet, let it be at least
so, since we ourselves are unable to carry out reforms or earn money.
Obviously, American authorities are better informed about the state
of affairs in Ukraine than are those who live here. Washington has committed
itself to push a reluctant Ukraine to reform itself.






