New York - The American Jewish Committee welcomes today's overwhelming vote in the U.S. House of Representatives to lift trade restrictions against Ukraine that were imposed on the Soviet Union in 1974 when Congress adopted the Jackson-Vanik Amendment to press for freedom of emigration.

"This landmark measure is a sound U.S. endorsement of democratic trends in Ukraine," said AJC Executive Director David A. Harris. "We look forward to President Bush signing the bill, for which he already has indicated his support." The U.S. Senate endorsed the measure last November.

AJC, a leading advocate for strengthening democracy in the former communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe, sent a letter to all members of Congress in August urging the "graduation" of Ukraine from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment.
 
"Our hope is that the United States Congress will seize the appropriate legislative and other opportunities to help foster closer bilateral ties between Kiev and Washington and to recognize and encourage the deep yearning for a modern, Western-oriented society," wrote Harris after returning from a visit to Kiev last July.

The AJC delegation met with senior government officials, leaders of civic institutions and representatives of the Jewish community. "Graduation from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment is a goal we fully share," Harris wrote.

The Bill adopted by the Congress affirms that since its establishment in 1991 an independent Ukraine has made substantial progress toward the creation of democratic institutions and a free-market economy.  Ukraine allows its citizens the right and opportunity to emigrate, has built a broad and durable relationship with the United States, and has been an unwavering ally in the struggle against international terrorism.