US-Ukraine Business Council

UKRAINE BUSINESS NEWS -
Amb John F. Tefft Confirmed by U.S. Senate As Ambassador to Ukraine

INDEX OF ARTICLES ------
Clicking on the title of any article takes you directly to the article.
Return to Index by clicking on Return to Index at the end of each article

1. AMB JOHN F. TEFFT CONFIRMED BY U.S. SENATE AS AMBASSADOR TO UKRAINE
U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), Wash, D.C., Mon, Nov 23, 2009

2.  AMB JOHN F. TEFFT'S NOMINATION AS US AMBASSADOR
TO UKRAINE APPROVED BY U.S. SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS
COMMITTEE TUESDAY
U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), Wash, D.C., Wed, Nov 18 , 2009

3.  AMB JOHN F. TEFFT'S EXPECTED CONFIRMATION POSTPONED
AS SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE DID NOT MEET
U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), Wash, D.C., Wed, Nov 11 , 2009

4.  AMB JOHN F. TEFFT EXPECTED TO BE CONFIRMED
NEXT WEEK AS U.S. AMBASSADOR TO UKRAINE
U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), Wash, D.C., Wed, Nov 4, 2009

5. STATEMENT OF JOHN F. TEFFT
Statement of John F. Tefft, Ambassador-Designate to Ukraine
U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee
U.S. Senate, Washington,D.C., October 8, 2009

6. JOHN F. TEFFT NOMINATED TO BE U.S. AMBASSADOR TO UKRAINE
President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts
The White House,Office of the Press Secretary, Wash, D.C. Wed, Sep 30, 2009

7. WELCOME, MR. TEFT!
By Mykola Siruk, The Day Weekly Digest in English #27
Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, 6 October 2009
===============================================
1. AMB JOHN F. TEFFT CONFIRMED BY U.S. SENATE
AS U.S. AMBASSADOR TO UKRAINE

U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), Wash, D.C., Mon, Nov 23, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Senate on Friday, November 20, 2009, confirmed the nomination of John F. Tefft, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Ukraine.

Ambassador Tefft was nominated by President Barack Obama on September 30, 2009 to be Ambassador to Ukraine. A hearing on his nomination was held on October 8, 2009 by the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. The new U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine is expected to arrive in Kyiv between the first and fourth of December.

"The U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), on behalf of its over 100 members, congratulates Ambassador John Tefft upon his confirmation as U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine. Many members of USUBC have known Ambassador Tefft for several years and are aware of his outstanding work in his previous assignments. USUBC looks forward to working with Ambassador Tefft in the months ahead to continue the strong ties between the U.S. and Ukraine and to expand business relationships between the two countries," said Morgan Williams, Director, Government Affairs, Washington Office, SigmaBleyzer, who serves as President of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC).

John F. Tefft has been a career Foreign Service Officer for 37 years. He most recently served as United States Ambassador to the Republic of Georgia from 2005-2009. Prior to that assignment Mr. Tefft served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs and was responsible for US relations with Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova. From 2003-2005 Mr. Tefft was the International Affairs Advisor at the National War College in Washington, DC.

U.S. SENATE, WASHINGTON, D.C.
NOMINATIONS CONFIRMED (CIVILIAN)
The following civilian Executive Nominations were confirmed by the Senate during the current congress. Nominations flagged with an asterisk were approved subject to the nominee's commitment to respond to requests to appear and testify before any duly constituted committee of the Senate. The nominations are listed to reverse chronological order based  on the date of confirmation.

November 20, 2009

PN282-2 *     FOREIGN SERVICE
Nomination for Terence Jones, which nomination was received by the Senate and
appeared in the Congressional Record on April 20, 2009.

PN650 *       EUROPEAN BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT
James LaGarde Hudson, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Director of
the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

PN872 *       DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Jose W. Fernandez, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Economic,
Energy, and Business Affairs).

PN873 *       DEPARTMENT OF STATE
William E. Kennard, of the District of Columbia, to be Representative of the
United States of America to the European Union, with the rank and status of
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

PN929 *       FOREIGN SERVICE
Nominations beginning Andrea M. Cameron, and ending Aleksandra Paulina Zittle,
which 126 nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the
Congressional Record on September 10, 2009.

PN954 *       DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Frederick D. Barton, of Maine, to be Representative of the United States of
America on the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, with the rank of
Ambassador.

PN955 *       DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Carmen Lomellin, of Virginia, to be Permanent Representative of the United States
of America to the Organization of American States, with the rank of Ambassador.

PN956 *       DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Cynthia Stroum, of Washington, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of the United States of America to Luxembourg.

PN964 *       FOREIGN SERVICE
Nominations beginning Laurie M. Major, and ending Maria A. Zuniga, which 168
nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record
on September 17, 2009.

PN975 *       MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION
Daniel W. Yohannes, of Colorado, to be Chief Executive Officer, Millennium
Challenge Corporation.

PN976 *       INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
Gustavo Arnavat, of New York, to be United States Executive Director of the
Inter-American Development Bank for a term of three years.

PN1000 *      DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Frederick D. Barton, of Maine, to be an Alternate Representative of the United
States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations,
during his tenure of service as Representative of the United States of America on
the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

PN1015 *      DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Robert R. King, of Virginia, to be Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights
Issues, with the rank of Ambassador.

PN1025 *      DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Michael C. Polt, of Tennessee, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service,
Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
the United States of America to the Republic of Estonia.

PN1042 *      DEPARTMENT OF STATE
John F. Tefft, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class
of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the
United States of America to Ukraine.

PN1047        NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
Paul K. Martin, of Maryland, to be Inspector General, National Aeronautics and
Space Administration.

PN1054 *      DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Pamela S. Hyde, of New Mexico, to be Administrator of the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services.

PN1064 *      DEPARTMENT OF STATE
David Huebner, of California, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of the United States of America to New Zealand, and to serve concurrently and
without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
the United States of America to Samoa.

PN1075 *      DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Peter Alan Prahar, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service,
Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the
United States of America to the Federated States of Micronesia.

LINK: http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/one_item_and _teasers/nom_confc.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[return to index] [U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), www.usubc.org]
===============================================
2. AMB JOHN F. TEFFT'S NOMINATION AS US AMBASSADOR
TO UKRAINE APPROVED BY U.S. SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS
COMMITTEE TUESDAY

U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), Wash, D.C., Wed, Nov 18 , 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The nomination of Ambassador John F. Tefft by U.S. President Barak Obama to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine was approved yesterday by the members of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The next step is for his nomination to be approved by the entire Senate in a motion on the Senate floor. This will most likely be a unanimous consent vote. Hopefully the vote will take place this week as the U.S. Senate is out all of next week for the Thanksgiving holidays. After the Senate vote Ambassador Tefft will be sworn in and then off to Kyiv to assume his ambassadorship duties.

Ambassador Tefft was nominated by President Barack Obama on September 30, 2009 to be Ambassador to Ukraine. A hearing on his nomination took place on October 8, 2009.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[return to index] [U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), www.usubc.org]
===============================================
U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC): http://www.usubc.org
From 22 to over 100 Members in Two Years, Join Today
==========================================
3. AMB JOHN F. TEFFT'S EXPECTED CONFIRMATION POSTPONED AS SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE DID NOT MEET

U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), Wash, D.C., Wed, Nov 11 , 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The expected confirmation yesterday, November 10th, of Ambassador John F. Tefft, by the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, did not take place as the meeting of the Committee was postponed for one week. Ambassador Tefft was nominated by President Barack Obama on September 30, 2009 to be Ambassador to Ukraine. A hearing on his nomination took place on October 8, 2009.

Ambassador Tefft has been waiting-in-the-wings for the past four weeks for a business meeting of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations to be scheduled. He will not have to wait at least one more week.

LINKS: Amb Tefft's nomination by the White House: http://www.usubc.org/news/obamaadministration_093009.php).
Amb Tefft's hearing before U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations: http://www.usubc.org/news/johnftefftstatement_100809.php).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[return to index] [U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), www.usubc.org]
===============================================
4. AMB JOHN F. TEFFT EXPECTED TO BE CONFIRMED
NEXT WEEK AS U.S. AMBASSADOR TO UKRAINE

U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), Wash, D.C., Wed, Nov 4, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Ambassador John F. Tefft is expected to finally be confirmed by the U.S. Senate next week as U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine. Ambassador Tefft was nominated by President Barack Obama on September 30, 2009 to be Ambassador to Ukraine. A hearing on his nomination took place on October 8, 2009.

Ambassador Tefft has been waiting-in-the-wings for the past four weeks for a business meeting of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations to be scheduled. One has now been scheduled for 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10th. The nomination of the Honorable John F. Tefft, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to Ukraine is listed on the schedule for the meeting.

Ambassador Tefft's nomination is expected to be voted out of the Foreign Relations Committee next Tuesday and a vote on the floor of the U.S. Senate would most likely take place yet next week. Ambassador Tefft would then be sworn in as Ambassador and is expected to leave for Ukraine soon after his swearing in ceremony.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[return to index] [U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), www.usubc.org]
===============================================
U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC): http://www.usubc.org
Promoting U.S.-Ukraine business relations & investment since 1995.
===============================================
5. STATEMENT OF JOHN F. TEFFT

Statement of John F. Tefft, Ambassador-Designate to Ukraine
U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee
U.S. Senate, Washington,D.C., October 8, 2009

Madam Chair and Members of the Committee,

I am honored to appear before you today as President Obama’s nominee to serve as the next Ambassador of the United States to Ukraine. I am grateful to the President and Secretary Clinton for their support and for the confidence they have placed in me. I look forward to working with the members of this committee and its staff to build the relationship between the United States and Ukraine.

I have had the privilege of serving my country for nearly 38 years as a Foreign Service Officer, much of it in Eastern Europe. Twice I have served as a U.S. Ambassador—most recently in Georgia, and previously in Lithuania. I have also served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Moscow – for 10 months of my assignment I was Charge d’Affaires at the Embassy.

From 2004 to 2005 I was Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs and had responsibility for overseeing our bilateral relations with Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus. During this period, Ukraine experienced the Orange Revolution, which transformed the political dynamics of the country. I believe that this broad experience working in Eastern Europe, and on Ukraine in particular, has prepared me for the important task of advancing U.S. relations with Ukraine.

If confirmed, I will focus on further strengthening the already close strategic partnership between our two countries. In December 2008, the U.S.-Ukraine Charter on Strategic Partnership, which codified the goals and plans we have jointly made with our Ukrainian partners, was signed in Washington. During the recent visit of Vice President Biden to Ukraine, our governments agreed to create the Strategic Partnership Commission to help implement this Charter.

The Commission will convene here in Washington later this year. This mechanism will cover not only high-level foreign policy issues but also economic cooperation, energy security, non-proliferation, democracy, the rule of law, and people to people exchanges.

I think Vice President Biden summed up succinctly the approach of this Administration toward Ukraine, which follows on the overall approach taken by every U.S. Administration since 1991. The United States supports Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Our friendship is based on a shared belief that democracy is the chief guarantor of security, prosperity and freedom.

Cooperation between our countries is essential to strengthen peace and security. A strong, independent and democratic Ukraine contributes to the security and prosperity not only of its people, but of a Europe whole, free and at peace. The Vice President emphasized in Kyiv in July that the United States will stand by Ukraine as it continues on the path to freedom, democracy, and prosperity. The reset of our relations with Russia will not come at the expense of Ukraine; the United States does not recognize spheres of influence.

The depth of our relationship is clear from the size of our assistance program--$120 million this year to bolster peace and security, strengthen democratic institutions, promote economic growth, and fight diseases like tuberculosis and HIV/AIDs. This includes an additional $30 million that Congress provided as part of a package designed to strengthen our relationships throughout the region in the aftermath of the conflict in Georgia.

Our assistance is designed not only to advance bilateral relations, but to improve the daily lives of average Ukrainians, especially during this difficult period in which the economy has contracted significantly. We also aim to promote greater energy efficiency and to lessen Ukraine’s energy dependency on others.

Support for Ukraine serves America’s interests because Ukraine has become a key component of European security. This was true even in Ukraine’s early years, when it took the historic decision to transfer its nuclear weapons to Russia. As we look to the post-START era, we commend this courageous step, and we stand by the security assurances provided in 1994, assurances that will remain valid after the START Treaty expires.

Ukraine has participated in many NATO missions, including the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan and the NATO Training Mission in Iraq. Ukraine has established an Annual National Program with NATO, and we support its future membership in NATO, as it chooses. Ukraine’s alliances are for Ukraine to choose. Ukraine has participated in multilateral efforts to build security by preventing the proliferation of weapons, including through its membership in the Wassenaar Arrangement, and by working against transnational crime and money laundering, through its membership in the Egmont Group.

This is a key moment in Ukraine’s post-Communist history. Since gaining its independence just two decades ago, the Ukrainian people have achieved a tremendous amount—freedom of speech is respected, political competition is vibrant, and Ukrainian citizens can democratically change their government through periodic, free, and fair elections. Ukraine is one of the most free and democratic nations in the post-Soviet region today. Its economic relations with the rest of the world are on sound footing, especially since Ukraine joined the World Trade Organization in 2008.

However, as Vice President Biden emphasized in Kyiv, much of the promise of the Orange Revolution has yet to be achieved. Political infighting has stalled political and economic reforms. The Ukrainian people are suffering the effects of the world economic downturn, and assistance from international financial institutions has played a crucial role in Ukraine's ability to deal with the crisis. The United States supports the International Monetary Fund’s program with Ukraine and urges the Ukrainian government to fulfill its commitments to the Fund and to other multilateral financial institutions.

Ukraine’s economic prosperity depends on reform of its energy sector, an area in which both the United States and Europe are willing to help. Energy security can come only through comprehensive reform in the gas industry and through far greater efficiency in the consumption of gas. We know that these steps are difficult, but they are necessary to Ukraine’s future. Energy is an area of growing U.S.-Ukraine cooperation.

If confirmed, I will encourage Ukraine’s progress on the path of economic and political reform; continue our contribution to building democracy and prosperity, help in the fight against corruption; and facilitate Ukraine’s participation in meeting global security challenges. I will ensure that our Embassy in Kyiv and its highly professional and motivated American and Ukrainian staff are fully engaged in building our strategic partnership with Ukraine. And if you choose to place your confidence in me as U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, I will ensure that we conduct our business in a manner that is fully consistent with American values.

Finally, Madam Chair, I would like to recognize my wife Mariella, who has been my indispensable partner in this career from the very beginning. In addition to her own professional accomplishments as a biostatistician and a nurse, she has made her own unique contributions to representing our country in every post in which we have served. I know she will bring her invaluable experience to bear in Kyiv. I would also like to thank my daughters Christine and Cathleen, who are also present, as well as my son-in-law, Andrew Horowitz. They make me proud every day, and have been supportive of my work throughout my career.

Thank you for the privilege of appearing before the Committee. I am prepared to answer any questions you might have.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[return to index] [U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), www.usubc.org]
==============================================
6. JOHN F. TEFFT NOMINATED TO BE U.S. AMBASSADOR TO UKRAINE
President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

The White House,Office of the Press Secretary, Wash, D.C. Wed, Sep 30, 2009

WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key administration posts:

John F. Tefft, Ambassador to Ukraine, Department of State

President Obama said, “The individuals announced today will play an important role in my administration, each bringing an impressive background to their respective roles. I look forward to working with them in the coming months and years.”

John F. Tefft has been a career Foreign Service Officer for 37 years. He most recently served as United States Ambassador to the Republic of Georgia from 2005-2009. Prior to that assignment Mr. Tefft served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs and was responsible for US relations with Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova. From 2003-2005 Mr. Tefft was the International Affairs Advisor at the National War College in Washington, DC.

He served as the United States Ambassador to Lithuania from 2000 to 2003. He was Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Moscow from 1996 to 1999, and served as Charge d’affaires from November 1996 to September 1997. His other Foreign Service assignments include: Jerusalem, Budapest and Rome. Mr. Tefft holds a Bachelors Degree from Marquette University and a Masters Degree from Georgetown University.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[return to index] [U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), www.usubc.org]
===============================================
7. WELCOME, MR. TEFT!

By Mykola Siruk, The Day Weekly Digest in English #27
Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, 6 October 2009

US President Barack Obama has recently appointed John Teft US ambassador to Ukraine. This career diplomat has a vast experience working in the post-Soviet countries. In 1996-99 he was the first deputy head of the American mission in Moscow. In 2000-03 and in 2005-09 Teft headed the US diplomatic missions in Lithuania and Georgia respectively.

The press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told The Day that all necessary procedures concerning Teft’s nomination are completed in Ukraine. It is too early to say when the procedures connected with his appointment will be finalized in the US. The website of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, which approves the nomination of ambassadors, has not yet mentioned the date for the hearing on Teft’s nomination.

[1] Yurii SHCHERBAK, ex-ambassador of Ukraine to the US:

“I welcome the fact that the United States has appointed an ambassador and intends to post him. In doing so the US has gone somewhat further than Russia, who has appointed but not yet posted an ambassador to Ukraine. For this pause in our relations has not useful for Ukraine.

“I also want to welcome the new American ambassador, who is a very experienced diplomat. His main distinguishing feature is that he has worked practically in the most important spots in the post-Soviet space. Having worked in Moscow, he has deep knowledge of the fundamentals of the Kremlin’s policy, as well as the methods of its implementation and, in general, the context of Moscow’s foreign policy priorities.

“In Lithuania Teft had an opportunity to watch the Baltic States take care of their security and their struggle for survival and the construction of relations with the big neighbor, Russia.

“In Tbilisi he was watching from the other side of the border how Moscow was carrying out its aggressive policy against Georgia to break it up and undermine its current ruling regime. In other words, he has had some serious tests there and is very knowledgeable about the situation in this highly explosive region.

“I think that Teft’s appointment to Ukraine has a symbolical meaning, because he is very experienced and versed in Russia’s policies regarding its neighbors, new challenges on the part of Russia, and its imperialistic claims to domination in this region. He won’t need too much time to get his bearings and study the situation on the spot. I think that when he was the US ambassador to Georgia, he understood Ukraine’s situation well, despite all the differences it has as compared to Georgia.

“We eagerly await his arrival in Kyiv and hope that he becomes an influential ambassador and US representative and that thanks to his activity Ukraine will not go off the radar screen of the US State Department and, in general, will not become marginal in the circle of US interests. For that would be a great mistake on the part of the US and a huge loss on the Ukrainian part.

“Taking into account Teft’s experience, I think that the information about Ukraine that he will supply to Washington will be objective. On the other hand, Ukraine should decide on its own what it ought to do in order to attract more interest from the US, a country that ensures our security via the Budapest Memorandum and has strategic partnership relations with us.”

[2] Andro BARNOV, head of the Georgian Strategy and Development Institute, Tbilisi:

“Teft was probably the best US ambassador to Georgia. He made a great contribution to rapprochement between Georgia and America. Remarkably, the cooperation between our countries was closest and most intense precisely when Teft was in the ambassador’s seat. I think that in this sense he played a good role.

“Teft had contacts with both Georgian government and the opposition. I often saw him at the receptions given by representatives of the opposition. Therefore, I can vouch that some politicians were wrong to say that the American ambassador communicated only with the government.

“I believe that his opinion had an impact on the development of the US policy concerning Georgia. As an ambassador, he was able to bring his recommendations to Washington. I think he played a fairly important part in this. Of course, he was not the only one to give recommendations to the White House.

“Teft left us with a positive impression. He gave frequent speeches, but never intruded into Georgia’s home policy. The American ambassador was always ready and had a clear-cut standpoint on events.”

LINK: http://www.day.kiev.ua/281158/

USUBC FOOTNOTE: Ambassador John Tefft was not recently appointed U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine by President Obama. He was nominated to be the next U.S. Ambassador by the President on September 30, 2009, and is waiting for the final U.S. Senate confirmation. Mr. Tefft spells his name with two F's not with one as shown in the article above.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[return to index] [[U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), www.usubc.org]
==============================================
U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC): http://www.usubc.org
Promoting U.S.-Ukraine business relations & investment since 1995.
==============================================