Clinton pitches democracy to Ukraine to cap European tour

June 5, 2000
Web posted at: 9:39 p.m. EDT (0139 GMT)

In this story: Ukraine is 'stronger than ever' Historic address to Russian parliament Lawmaker shouts at Clinton No accord on missile defense RELATED STORIES, SITES

From staff and wire reports

KIEV, Ukraine (CNN) -- U.S. President Bill Clinton completed a weeklong European visit Monday by urging Ukraine to take its place "among the nations of Europe" and remain committed to democracy and free markets.

Clinton was headed back to Washington late Monday, a day that began with an address to Russia's parliament, the Duma. Later, in the Ukrainian capital Kiev, he hailed the former Soviet republic's decision to permanently close the ill-fated Chernobyl nuclear power station.

Meeting with Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma in Kiev, Clinton said the United States would provide $78 million to help contain radiation at Chernobyl's one remaining operating reactor. Another $2 million will got toward safety measures for other nuclear plants in the country, he said.

VIDEO CNN's John King shows Clinton's historic address to Russia's Duma and more of his visit to Moscow. (June 5) QuickTime Play Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K     VIDEO Watch a CNN report two days after the Chernobyl disaster    INTERACTIVE The missile shield dispute     MESSAGE BOARD Clinton in Europe     IN DEPTH Cold War

"This is a hopeful moment," Clinton said. "It is also a moment when we remember those who suffered as a result of the accident there."

Chernobyl is the site of the world's worst nuclear accident. An explosion at one of Chernobyl's nuclear reactors killed dozens and released radiation amounts 30 to 40 times greater than that seen after two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan in World War II.

Kuchma said Ukraine could close Chernobyl on December 15.

Ukraine is 'stronger than ever'

After meeting with Kuchma, Clinton spoke to thousands of Ukrainians gathered on a sunlit day in the historic St. Michael's Square in the heart of the capital.

He encouraged the budding republic, which emerged in the early 1990s after the Soviet Union fell, to be patient as it builds its economy.

Communism is dead, Clinton said, but a full commitment to a free market economy has yet to come.

"If your children are to live their dreams, it (a free market) must win," he said, standing on a platform of blue and yellow bunting, as many in the audience cheered and waved American and Ukrainian flags.

Clinton also paid tribute to millions of Ukrainians who died in World War II and during Communist rule.

"Today the oppressors are gone. Stalin is gone. The Nazis are gone. The Soviet Union is gone," he said. "Russia is working to build a new society, but you, the people of Ukraine, you are still here, stronger than ever."

Clinton's speech was the culmination of a six-hour stop in Ukraine. He is scheduled to return to Washington on Monday night.

Historic address to Russian parliament

Clinton began the day in Moscow with a speech to the Russian Duma, the lower house of parliament. It was the first time an American president had appeared before the lawmakers.

In a 45-minute address, the U.S. president told legislators the United States and Russia share mutual interests and an obligation to focus on common goals.

"The world we seek to bring into being can come only if America and Russia are on the same side of history," Clinton said.

Despite some Russian suspicions, he said, "America wants a strong Russia."

While promising the audience he had come to offer advice and not a lecture, Clinton presented a list of recommendations that included a call for Russia to pass laws to protect property, create a fair and efficient tax code, and combat money-laundering in line with international standards.

Lawmaker shouts at Clinton

The 400 legislators listened politely but with little obvious enthusiasm. As Clinton finished, ultra-nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky shouted at other Duma members for applauding him. He also shouted at Clinton.

"I told him in English, 'Lift the blockade on Iraq, withdraw troops from Yugoslavia and do not intervene in Russian affairs,'" Zhirinovsky said afterward.

Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov said he thought Clinton would be "more honest" about the situation in Russia.

"We are for dialogue," he said. "We understand that there can be no war in the modern world."

No accord on missile defense

In his speech, Clinton also acknowledged Russian concerns about a U.S. proposal to build a national missile defense system.

Administration officials believe America will be vulnerable in the future to a nuclear attack -- not from large countries such as Russia but from smaller, so-called rogue nations. Under the defense system, a network of missiles would shoot down any incoming warhead.

"The system we are contemplating would not undermine Russia's deterrent or the principles of mutual deterrence and strategic stability," Clinton said.

The president sought to offer similar assurances during weekend talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but the new Russian leader made it clear he opposes an American missile defense system. The plan would require changes to an anti-ballistic missile treaty the two sides signed in 1972.

Putin, like other European leaders, fears an American missile defense system would set off a new arms race. Putin has suggested the United States and Russia work together on a different kind of system, an idea to which Clinton is cool.

Senior White House Correspondent John King, Correspondent Matthew Chance, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

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