Colin L. Powell Victor Yushchenko Kiev, Ukraine

Remarks with Ukrainian President-Elect Victor Yushchenko

Secretary Colin L. Powell Kiev, Ukraine January 23, 2005

PRESIDENT-ELECT YUSHCHENKO: (in Ukrainian) Dear friends, we have just completed our bilateral negotiations. I would like to thank Secretary of State Mr. Colin Powell for a very productive discussion. I’ve indicated the processes that have occurred in Ukraine over the past two years have definitely been because of Ukraine. And I’ve indicated that I’m particularly happy that I’ve lived until the times when the Ukrainian president is elected not in Moscow, not in Washington, but here in Ukraine. On the other hand, however, the international assistance, the assistance and support from our partners was very essential for enrooting the democratic…the democracy in Ukraine.

I would like to once again thank the Ukrainian side for being so committed to the democratic principles which they have, once again, demonstrated in the context of Ukrainian events.

We also touched upon a number of issues that have to do with activation of Ukrainian efforts toward international integration. This includes: the prospects for Ukraine acquiring market-based economy status; this is the problem that has to do with the World Trade Organization; the problem of Ukrainian goods’ access to U.S. markets; the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, and a good wealth of other issues that included Iraq and other bilateral and international aspects of our relations.

SECRETARY POWELL: Thank you very much, Mr. President-elect. It’s a great pleasure for me to be here on this historic day to share in the joy of the Ukrainian people as a new president is elected, who has been elected on the basis of a free, fair and open election.

President Bush hopes that you will be able to visit the United States in the not-too-distant future, and I will pass on to the President your invitation for him to visit Ukraine. As the President-elect noted, we had a good discussion on all of the bilateral issues between our two nations, but we also talked about broader issues of Euro-Atlantic integration and how Ukraine will be moving to make sure that it becomes a valued member of the Euro-Atlantic communities. And Mr. President, on this very important day, I thank you for taking time to meet with me, and I just want to assure you that you will continue to enjoy the full support of the American government and the American people, as you move forward now to undertake the efforts that the Ukrainian people are expecting.

PRESIDENT-ELECT YUSHCHENKO: Thank you.

SECRETARY POWELL: Thank you. ###

dennis hopper late from the ball ?

Anonymous said...
Why was Dennis Hopper asked to not come to the ball?

oft quoted lurid details (and i mean that as a complement) like those found in this foxnews.com report aside, no official comment from PCI, The Creative Coalition or Dennis Hopper is yet available. consider this eye witness report,

"Hill Harper, an actor on "CSI New York," attended a sold-out event hosted by the Creative Coalition, a nonpartisan advocacy group for actors, writers, singers and other members of the entertainment industry.

Harper looked at an empty dance floor at 10:45 p.m.: "It doesn't seem like the most exciting crowd. Maybe we'll see some table dancing, maybe some stripping, maybe somebody will show some leg."

this seems to be a generally held opinion, i heard things like "has been ball" so maybe dennis knew and demurred.

the washinton post runs a quote attributed to hopper, about half way down the page.

"We were dismayed this week when my invitation to participate in the 'Celebration of Freedom' event . . . was withdrawn by the Presidential Inaugural Committee,"

Hopper's rep said he would not comment beyond the statement, which also expressed his "deep regret" over not being here. "However," the actor added, "I would still like to express my support for President George Bush and our next four years"

so he then boycotted the ball in this theory.

while the new york post reports,

January 20, 2005 -- MACY Gray is still showing up to the Creative Coalition's Inauguration party tonight, but co-chair Dennis Hopper isn't. One source said Hopper canceled his trip to Washington when he was "uninvited" from the official presidential party after "religious groups complained about his [sketchy] history." But Hopper, a longtime George Bush supporter, isn't going, a close pal said, because of work reasons. "He is right in the middle of a huge movie deal," the friend said. Another celeb not going to the bash because of work is Sylvester Stallone, who had to cancel because he's filming "Duplicity."

and then this from WOW,

Inside Deep Throat's narrator, Dennis Hopper, abruptly pulled out of attending the Sundance premiere of the film because he, um, FORGOT that he had to go to the Inaugural Ball in Washington.

stay tuned.