Central and East European Coalition
1612 K Street, NW, Suite #410
Washington, DC 20006
Webpage: http://www.CEEC-Online.org

Central and East European Coalition Meets with Senator Joe Lieberman
Americans of Central and East European Heritage Plan Briefings with all 2004 Presidential Candidates

Washington, DC – The Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) met on Monday with presidential hopeful Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT) to discuss issues related to United States foreign policy. The CEEC, which represents 20 million Americans, plans to meet with all 2004 presidential candidates. At yesterday’s meeting with Senator Lieberman, the group discussed NATO and the Euro-Atlantic relationship, U.S.-Russia relations, foreign aid and U.S. public diplomacy, including the status of Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty broadcasting to the region. Regarding U.S. relations with Russia, the CEEC stressed the importance of holding Russia to the same standards as other countries. Russian economic pressures in the region, along with the country’s record on minority, religious and human rights, including its brutal war in Chechnya, were all marked as critical areas of concern. On the topic of international broadcasting, the Senate Appropriations Committee last week marked up the FY04 Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations bill (S.1585). Although funding for these broadcasts will be restored to FY 2003 levels, it is not certain whether all their services will remain intact in the coming year. Senator Lieberman remarked that if broadcasting to Central and Eastern Europe is stopped, it will send the message that “we take the people for granted.” Senator Lieberman thanked the CEEC for taking the time to brief him on issues of concern and expressed his hope that this meeting would be the beginning of an on-going foreign policy discussion with the group. The Senator said, “American foreign policy at its best is all about American principles -- freedom and democracy.” He noted that if elected President, his foreign policy would be based on “our best values, strength of alliances, and assistance to the newly independent states of Central and East Europe.” Regarding NATO, the CEEC expressed its satisfaction with the Senate ratification vote of May 8, in support of NATO enlargement. The CEEC reiterated its support for continued enlargement to qualified countries and urged that aspirant and invited countries be encouraged to continue with reforms to strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law. Although Senator Lieberman was not able to vote, he is a long-time supporter of expanding NATO and promoting western values in the region. Karl Altau, the Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) representative to the CEEC said, “Our meeting with Senator Lieberman was informative and useful. We thanked him for taking the time to meet with us. The CEEC plans to invite other 2004 presidential hopefuls to meet with the organization and to discuss issues of mutual concern. We will also closely track the major Party platforms as the process develops.”