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AHF and the Central East European Coalition (CEEC): 2014 Fall Policy Brief

9/15/2014 - AHF participates in drafting Central and East European Coalition Fall 2014 Policy Paper. The 2014 brief addresses Ukraine; NATO and Security in Central and Eastern Europe; the Visa Waiver Program and Immigration Reform; Energy Security; Democracy, Human and Minority Rights, the Rule of Law, and the Information War; US Assistance to and Promotion of Regional Democratic Governance; Trade and Economic democratic governance and the rule of law; Trade and Economic Integration; and Black Ribbon Day.

2014 CEEC POLICY BRIEF [download]
Fall 2014

CONTENTS:

• UKRAINE (1)
• NATO AND SECURITY IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE (2)
• VISA WAIVER PROGRAM AND IMMIGRATION REFORM (3)
• ENERGY(4)
• DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, THE RULE OF LAW, AND THE INFORMATION WAR (5)
• U.S. ASSISTANCE TO AND PROMOTION OF REGIONAL DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE (6)
• TRADE AND ECONOMIC INTEGRATION (7)
  BLACK RIBBON DAY (8)
  

UKRAINE
The riveting Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine’s central Maidan square during the brutal winter months of November 2013-February 2014 demonstrated a people’s desire to define their nation's political identity and focus their efforts to integrate into Western institutions. In the context of U.S. geo-strategic interests, the current war in Ukraine cannot be understood without recognizing its potentially far-reaching consequences for the world's security. Russian President Putin’s expansion of a “Russkiy Mir" (Russian World) includes tanks and armaments supplied to Russian-led terrorists
in eastern Ukraine, and political, economic, social, cultural, and religious aggression and encroachment directed against Ukrainian sovereignty and other countries in the region. As a result, the Russian invasion of Ukraine is rightly viewed with alarm by our NATO allies, most particularly by those in Central Europe. It is a threat to the stable trans-Atlantic security framework that has emerged since the fall of the Soviet Union.

Ukraine’s inclusion into Euro-Atlantic structures clearly serves U.S. national interests. The security of the United States lies in the expansion of democracy, not in the appeasement of aggressor states making imperial claims. Furthermore, the United States has provided public and politically binding security guarantees, including the 1994 Trilateral Agreement which requires Washington's engagement when Ukraine's security is threatened. In exchange, Ukraine renounced its nuclear weapons and acceded to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as a non-nuclear state. These assurances were critical for Ukraine and they included U.S., British, and Russian support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Today, each of these security components has been compromised.2

The crisis in Eastern Europe and Ukraine, specifically, will not just go away. In an informationally
interconnected and economically interdependent world, the United States must take the lead in promoting international norms and consolidating geo-political stability. Today, Russia's intellectuals and democrats look towards Ukraine and the West for their inspiration and their hopes. With American support, a democratic, independent Ukraine can be that keystone of freedom in the region.

NATO AND SECURITY IN
CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE
Proactive U.S. leadership is vital to NATO’s continued strength and effectiveness as a defensive alliance, which protects its member states as well as the peace and security of the European continent. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and continued escalation of armed conflict threatens both Ukraine’s independence and the welfare of millions of people in Europe. Russia is also pursuing intimidation of the Baltic countries, such as the kidnapping of an Estonian security official from Estonian territory, incursion into Baltic airspace by military air craft, large scale military excercises adjacent to Lithuania and Poland, a simulated arial nuclear attack of Warsaw, as well as disruption of sea traffic by unscheduled naval excercises withinthe Baltic countries’ sea zone.

The CEEC welcomes NATO’s decision, at its most recent summit in Wales, U.K., to establish a rapid reaction force of at least 4,000 troops for the defense of member states. We are also pleased that NATO will expand and enhance its partnership with Georgia and that NATO will hold the "Rapid Trident" and other joint exercises with Ukraine's armed forces. The CEEC has supported the increase of military training exercises in Europe, as well as the increase in NATO’s air policing mission to protect NATO members in the Baltic Sea region, including naval surveillance in the Black Sea, since Russia began its military incursions in Ukraine this year. The CEEC believes it is time to establish permanent NATO bases in the Alliance’s eastern member states, since any objection has been removed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The CEEC supports both increased NATO and U.S. bi-lateral military assistance to Ukraine to secure Ukraine’s peace and security, as
well as stability on NATO’s eastern flank.

The CEEC advocated for the successful enlargement of NATO over the past two decades, and continues to urge the U.S. Congress to support NATO membership for Georgia and other qualified countries seeking membership. The CEEC supports the reintroduction of a bill similar to the NATO Enhancement Act, S. 2177, introduced in the 112th Congress, which would substantially strengthen NATO and NATO partnerships. The CEEC supports the efforts of the United States, bilaterally and through NATO, to protect cyber infrastructure from disruption and aggression. This includes establishing effective counter-measures against cyber attacks, cyber crime and cyber espionage.3 The CEEC also urges the United States to review its current planned missile defense system, and re-align it to more effectively protect all NATO member states, allies and partners.

VISA WAIVER PROGRAM
AND IMMIGRATION REFORM
The CEEC believes that it is in the best interest of the United States to have the Visa Waiver Program expanded, especially to countries that have demonstrated a capacity and willingness to cooperate with the United States in achieving counter-terrorism goals. The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) pilot allowed six EU countries from CEE (the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia) to join the VWP in 2008.

However, for those not admitted during the pilot, such as Poland and others, an automatic reinstatement of the standard eligibility rules occurred in June 2009. These rules include requiring the aspiring country to have less than a 3 percent visa refusal rate in order to be eligible for participation in the Program (as opposed to 10 percent that was set in the pilot). These rules have had the unfortunate effect for millions of CEE Americans, mostly of Polish descent, that their relatives still cannot travel freely to the United States.

The CEEC also supports fair and equitable immigration laws, which will include a pathway to citizenship, as well as the establishment of a new P visa category to cover groups and individuals coming to the United States for cultural/educational purposes at the invitation of a U.S.-based group with ethnic ties to the invitee’s country. This new category includes those coming to present and/or teach ethnic or folk culture, music, theater, dance, or other artistic endeavors of the country of origin.

ENERGY
Energy security and safety are vital to the energy deficient CEE region. Currently, Russia is the primary and, in many cases, sole source of gas and oil supplies, which it manipulates to attain its political and economic objectives. This is evident with abrupt cut-offs of gas and oil to CEE countries, price escalations to selected EU countries, redirection and/or reductions of gas supplies to Europe, such as disrupted natural gas supplies to Ukraine in June 2014.

U.S. policies could assure a secure and safe source of energy to the CEE countries. First, U.S. policy should facilitate immediate and prioritized export of its LNG supplies to NATO countries, and any other foreign country if the Secretary of State determines that such exportation promotes U.S. national security interests. Secondly, it is essential that U.S. policy support interconnection of electrical and gas resources with their western EU counterparts to improve efficient utilization of energy supplies.

The passage of legislation to export LNG from the United States would loosen Russia’s monopoly of energy supplies and their use for political manipulation throughout Europe. LNG exports will lead to the establishment of global gas markets with non-discriminatory pricing, thus making it difficult for Russia to dictate pricing based on geopolitics. A global LNG market would promote transparency in pricing and invigorate investments and economic developments.

The CEEC is particularly concerned about the operations and accident hazards posed by a nuclear power plant being constructed in Belarus just across from Lithuania’s border and just 30 miles away from Lithuania’s capital Vilnius with a population of about 700,000. The United States should actively advocate for full compliance of any new nuclear power plant with internationally established safety standards and monitoring while such plants are constructed.

The United States has to re-engage in energy diplomacy in the Caspian region to make sure that resources of the region contribute to the energy security of CEE. The functioning infrastructure, that allows hydrocarbons from the Caspian region to be shipped to European markets, is a vivid demonstration of the success of proactive U.S. diplomacy in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Development of the Southern Gas Corridor, that will ensure delivery of natural gas resources from the eastern and western shores of the Caspian Sea to Europe via the South Caucasus and Turkey, has to be reinstated as a major policy priority of the U.S. government.

To assure a safe and secure supply of energy in the CEE region, the United States should endorse and encourage the development of a unified plan for natural gas sourcing, infrastructure (connectivity, pipes, storage), and integration of electrical systems. To achieve this, the transfer and implementation of innovative technologies for energy efficiency and environmentally friendly production of local natural resources need to be facilitated with appropriate financial incentives. Activities involving the transfer of technological innovation and training would result in job creation in both the United States and CEE countries.5

DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, THE RULE OF LAW, AND THE INFORMATION WAR

The CEEC staunchly supports democracy and the indispensable elements of the rule of law, human rights, minority rights, freedom of the press and historical accuracy, all of which are especially important in the CEE region, considering its history, previous Soviet domination, and ethnic, national and religious diversity.

While democracies have emerged and developed in CEE since the collapse of communism, issues remain to be resolved. An autocratic regime still reigns in Belarus. Vestiges of intolerance and discrimination against national minorities linger even within some countries that have joined Western institutions. Denial of crimes against humanity, including the Armenian and Ukrainian Genocides of 1915 and 1932-33, respectively, undermines the pillars of democracy.

The Russian government uses many avenues in its attempts to dominate the countries of the CEE region. Putin’s ongoing war in Ukraine is just one example. Others include economic manipulation (e.g., blocking energy transit, trade barriers, and cyber attacks), accusations of alleged maltreatment and discrimination against people of Russian descent living in CEE countries, and also disinformation and propaganda. In 2008, Russian troops forcibly annexed the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, keeping heavy military presence in close proximity to the strategic East-West transportation corridor. In 2014, Russian troops forcibly annexed Crimea, and are attempting to take over parts of Eastern Ukraine.

Russia sees the aspirations of neighboring CEE countries toward integration with the European Union as a threat. As a reaction, it has threatened economic ramifications should aspiring countries advance EU Association Agreements and has pressured them to join an alternative Russian-dominated Eurasian Customs Union. U.S. foreign policy, countering Russia’s attempts to reestablish a “sphere of influence” in the region, should emphasize the promotion of democratic principles and institutions within the Russian Federation. The CEEC urges the United States to condemn Russia’s blatant intimidation and attempts to undermine the independence of countries in the region. U.S. policies towards Russia in this regard should be pursued in a forceful and proactive manner.

To deter Russia, the CEEC urges strong sanctions – visa restrictions and asset freezes against individuals. The CEEC strongly supported the Magnitsky Act, which was passed into law during the last Congress as part of the Russia Trade bill (Public Law No. 112-208). In the spirit of that law, the CEEC believes that the provisions need be fully implemented and expanded to include other human rights violators in the Russian Federation. While Putin’s crimes against Ukraine are growing, Moscow's increasing crackdown against its own citizens is troubling for Russia’s internal growth. This also does not bode well for its neighbors in CEE, and for the United States. Until human rights are respected by Russia, both outside of and within its borders, it is critical that the United States continue to help expose violations by the Russian Federation, and to defend
internationally recognized human rights and freedoms.6

Russian revision of history denies or excuses Stalin-era atrocities and actions, such as the Holodomor (Famine-Genocide) in Ukraine, Soviet occupation of CEE countries, murder and deportation of millions of CEE nationals. Russia’s propaganda distorts and falsifies both current events and history. It is a powerful tool used to discredit and attack perceived adversaries. Democracy in Russia is threatened, as demonstrated by the repression of NGOs, election fraud and rampant corruption. The United States needs to lend its moral voice against human rights abuses. The United States needs to counter Putin via the airwaves, to expose Moscow’s lies and present our values via competent and fully-funded U.S. international broadcasting. The CEEC supports important reforms to address the Broadcasting Board of Governors’ management structure, clarify the mission of our international broadcasters, and empower our journalists.

U.S. ASSISTANCE TO AND PROMOTION OF REGIONAL DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE

While many countries within CEE have “graduated” from U.S. assistance programs under the SEED and FREEDOM Support Acts, U.S. funding should remain a priority for Armenia, Georgia, and Ukraine. Security Assistance Programs levels to the region, such as Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and International Military Education and Training (IMET), should be enhanced. Also, funds should continue to be devoted to promoting democracy in Belarus. Furthermore, financial and other support for governmental and non-governmental
programs directed towards anti-corruption efforts and development of civil society in the region are critical. Exchange programs, a part of public diplomacy, are an acknowledged and successful means of promoting international understanding, good will, and training to citizens of the United States and participating countries, and need to be continued.

TRADE AND ECONOMIC INTEGRATION

An essential component to achieving and maintaining well-functioning democracies in CEE is having healthy and growing economies. The CEEC favors policies and reforms that encourage the continued integration of CEE countries into Western institutional structures, thus supporting their economic development. The CEEC supports expansion of opportunities to realize the benefits of economic growth, through increased trade, and market economic systems based on the rule of law, appropriate regulation, transparency, and ethical business practices.

Currently, a number of CEE countries are in various stages of pursuing increased economic integration with Western institutions, particularly through adoption of Association Agreements (AA) with the European Union. The CEEC opposes Russia's pressure on the acceding countries to defect from the AA process and instead, move toward integration with a Russia-dominated customs union. The CEEC strongly favors the continued integration of CEE countries in Western institutions, and believes that the active support of U.S. foreign and defense policy is crucial to success of the integration process.

A number of CEE countries that are well integrated into EU institutions are striving to improve their economic performance, provide better employment opportunities, and adjust to the challenges of a dynamic, competitive world economy. The CEE supports the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership agreement (TTIP). The agreement aims to expand the already robust economic relationship between the United States and the EU, through further reduction of tariffs, and better coordination of regulatory regimes which will support trade-in-services and encourage a robust investment climate. The CEEC seeks to ensure that the agreement benefits both the United States and the countries of the CEE region.

BLACK RIBBON DAY

The CEEC supports the establishment of a national August 23 Black Ribbon Day, to honor and commemorate those who lost their lives, were tortured, deported, lost their property or otherwise suffered under the ravages of the Soviet Communist and Nazi regimes.

These repressions touched many Americans of CEE
extraction, being directly affected themselves, or having relatives and friends who suffered. The infamous Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was signed on August 23, 1939, dividing Europe between the Soviet and Nazi regimes. National Black Ribbon Day is already officially observed by EU members, Canada and Georgia. Legislation designating August 23 as a “Black Ribbon Day” passed on May 22, 2014, in the U.S. House of Representatives as part of a National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4435), and must now be taken up by the Senate. A conference committee of both houses must work out any differences. Action Needed:

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The Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) is comprised of 18 national organizations, including the American Hungarian Federation (AHF), whose members trace their heritage to Central and Eastern Europe. The CEEC raises issues of common concern to its diverse membersip, such as NATO's enlargement, energy security and visa waiver.

CEEC member organizations:

American Hungarian Federation
American Latvian Association
Armenian Assembly of America
Belarusan-American Association
Bulgarian Institute for Research and Analysis
Congress of Romanian Americans
Washington Chapter, Czechoslovak
National Council of America
Estonian American National Council
Georgian Association in the USA
Hungarian American Coalition
Joint Baltic American National Committee
Lithuanian American Council
Lithuanian American Community
Polish American Congress
Slovak League of America
Ukrainian Congress Committee of America
Ukrainian National Association

[read more about the CEEC]

CEEC Policy Briefs

11/25/2013 - FALL 2013: AHF participates in drafting Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) Fall 2013 Policy Paper. It includes language on minority rights: "...support the equitable and prompt restitution of properties – including private, communal, and church properties – that had been illegally confiscated by governments of CEE, from ethnic minorities and the populations at large." [read more]

5/29/2012 - AHF participates in drafting CEEC Policy Brief on minority rights and NATO expansion and issues multiple action alerts including: Supporting S. 2177, the NATO Enhancement Act, introduced by Sen. Richard Lugar to encourage further enlargement of NATO and to deepen U.S. strategic partnerships with NATO allies. [read more]

4/13/2011 - American Hungarian Federation drafts Central and East European Coalition 2011 Policy Brief, helps organize Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill.., In its continuous effort to raise issues important to the Hungarian American community, the American Hungarian Federation (AHF) participated in an April 13 Advocacy Day organized by the Central and East European Coalition (CEEC). The Advocacy Day involved meetings with key staffers in both the Senate and House of Representatives in the U.S. Congress. [read more]

9/23/2010 - AHF helps plan CEEC Advocacy Day in US Congress, drafts 2010 Policy Brief addressing Democracy and Human and Minority rights.
[read more]

Related CEEC Articles

8/3/2011 -- The American Hungarian Federation and the Central and East European Coalition participate in a reception and Capitol Hill Policy Seminar entitled, "20 years: Three Perspectives on the Evolution of U.S. Strategic Engagement with Central and Eastern Europe." [read more]

4/13/2011 - American Hungarian Federation Participates in Central and East European Coalition Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill... CEEC issues 2011 Policy Brief [read more]

01/24/11 - CEEC and AHF Submit Letter to Secretary Clinton expressing deep concern over "brutal post-election crackdown by Lukashenka's (Lukashenko) regime on peaceful demonstrators, democratic activists, journalists and civil society" in Belarus. [read more]

7/5/2010 - AHF participates in Capitol Hill policy seminar on energy security, "Coercion in the European Energy Sector: Implications for the United States." The seminar was held on June 24, 2010 and sponsored by the Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) in cooperation with the Congressional Caucus on Central and Eastern Europe. [read more]

4/25/2009 - The American Hungarian Federation Participates in White House Meeting... On April 24, 2009, the Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) met with Jeffrey M. Hovenier, Director for Central and Eastern Europe, National Security Council, and Katherine M. Helgerson, Director for Southeast European Affairs, National Security Council.
[read more]

7/25/2008 - American Hungarian Federation Participates in CEEC Meeting with Senator Schumer: Discusses Russia "Hegemony" statement... The purpose of the meeting was to seek clarification of statements contained in Senator Schumer’s June 3rd Wall Street Journal article that were susceptible to the interpretation that he condoned Russian designs on Central and Eastern Europe. [read more]

6/19/2008 - American Hungarian Federation Helps Plan and Participates in Successful CEEC Congressional Policy Discussion on Central and Eastern Europe. [read more]

3/5/2008 - American Hungarian Federation Participates in Meetings With Senator Obama’s and Senator Clinton’s Foreign Policy Advisors... A number of policy issues were discussed with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and other top officials. [read more]

3/3/2008 - American Hungarian Federation Raises Issue of Vojvodina Hungarians With Senator Senator Clinton’s Foreign Policy Advisor, Ron Asmus... The meeting touched upon numerous issues of concern to the member organizations of the CEEC. [read more]

3/29/2006 - The American Hungarian Federation helps organize congressional reception with the Central East European Coalition (CEEC). The reception's main focus was concerns over political developments in Belarus, the former Soviet Republic, and Russia`s support for the policies of President Alexander Lukashenko. The opposition says President Lukashenko, who has led Belarus for more than a decade, has become increasingly authoritarian, suppressing free speech and jailing democratic dissenters. [download CEEC member Iryna Vidanava's speech]

3/16/2006 - The American Hungarian Federation participates in protest over anti-democratic developments in Belarus. In a show of solidarity with fellow CEEC members, demonstrators gathered in front of the Belarusian Embassy in Washington, DC on March 16 to protest against the authoritarian regime of Alexander Lukashenko, and to offer support for the people of that country.

Additional AHF Articles

• Vojvodina - More ethnic cleansing in historic Vajdasag, now in Serbia
• News from Rumania - Home to the largest Hungarian "minority"
• Slovaks Confirm Benes Decrees: Hungarians called "Cancer of the Slovak Nation." AHF issues statement.
• The Benes Decrees - a shameful act of ethnic cleansing
• The Treaty of Trianon - A Nation Dismembered
• The Slovak Language Law
• AHF on Dual Citizenship for Hungarians
• AHF expresses concerns for Hungarian Minority in Rumania to Vice President Joe Biden
• AHF article on Autonomy for Romania's Hungarian Communities published in Foreign Policy Review
• AHF Concerns related to the Hungarian Minority in Transylvania
• Controversy at the Babes-Bolyai State University
• Church and Synagogue Property Confiscation
• AHF calls upon Vice President Biden to discuss Slovakia's language law with Hungarian Prime Minister Bajnai
• AHF Submits Letter Regarding Intolerance in Slovakia
• Use of Hungarian ILLEGAL in Slovakia - Hungarian FM expresses regret
• The American Hungarian Federation's call for greater cooperation among Hungarian American organizations in raising the ill-advised and discriminatory Slovak language law published in Heti Valasz
• "Halál a magyarokra!" / "Hunok a gázkamrába! Magyarok a Dunába!"
• 168 Óra Online írása: A 'Halál a magyarokra' Amerikában is kiverte a biztosítékot
• Amerikai magyar szervezet küldött levelet Kubišnak
• Hungarian National Flags fly again in Hungarian churches in today's Slovakia
• AHF Supporting Dual Citizenship
• www.vilagmagyarsag.com - includes English and Hungariane resources and petition
• "There are no Nationalities in Romania" The American Hungarian Federation Co-Hosts Lecture by Bishop Arpad Szabo from Kolozsvar
• Révai Miklós emléktábla Nagycsanádon
• Rumania's Basescu in the US
• The Csango Hungarians of Moldavia
• The Tragedy of the Treaty of Trianon

Articles and Essays by AHF Members

• "NATO Enlargement" by Frank Koszorus Jr. March 29, 2004
  Remarks on the Occasion of the Enlargement of NATO, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. [download]
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• "Nato Enlargement And Minority Rights: Prerequisites To Security" by Frank Koszorus, Jr., April 2003
  A memorandum that was submitted to Robert A. Bradtke, Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, and Heather A. Conley, Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs during a roundtable discussion on "NATO Enlargement and the Current State of the Trans-Atlantic Alliance." This submission follows several other intiatives, including submissions to Lord Roberston, Secretary General of NATO. [download]
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• “Nato Enlargement: Promoting Western Values, Strengthening The Alliance” by Frank Koszorus, Jr., April 29, 2003
  A Statement Before The United States Senate Committee On Foreign Relations.
  [download]
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• "U.S. Senate Unanimously Ratifies Nato Treaty; Senators Raise Rights Of Minorities: Federation Supports Efforts Aimed At Encouraging Romania And Slovakia To Respect Rights Of Hungarian Minorities And Restore Communal Properties" - Press Release by Zoltan Bagdy, May 9, 2003 [download]

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  Congressional Resolutions and Records

• H.RES 191 - A RESOLUTION urging the "prompt and fair restitution of church properties by Romania and Slovakia - TOM LANTOS / TOM TANCREDO (April 6th 2005) in the House of Representatives [download]

• A RESOLUTION REGARDING THE ISSUE OF TRANSYLVANIAN HUNGARIANS -- HON. DONALD E. `BUZ' LUKENS (Extension of Remarks - February 26, 1990) in the House of Representatives [download]

• VIOLENCE IN TRANSYLVANIA -- HON. DON RITTER (Extension of Remarks - March 22, 1990) in the House of Representatives [download]
  
• Transylvanian Monitor #14: Property Restitution.

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