Hmm -- this does sound a tad -- cold?

By Aussiegirl

Well, gee, they could sound a bit more encouraging after all the free publicity the Orange Revolution gave the Bush administration's "spreading democracy" policy. How is Ukraine supposed to succeed if everywhere it looks for free trade and economic cooperation it gets the cold shoulder? Sounds like the State Department is still exhibiting its traditional distaste for Ukrainian independence. Sure, it's up to Yushchenko and his administration, but is there something wrong with being a little encouraging? Or will other countries take a lesson from this attitude before deciding which side to seek out? Now that we encouraged you, you can sink or swim seems to be Washington's message. Recently the White House's request for 60 million in aid to Ukraine was cut to 30 million by Congress. They probably spent more on a chicken feeding demonstration museum in Podunk, Arkansas. Chicken Kiev, anyone?

Just curious, why is this State Department official speaking on condition of anonymity? Isn't that usually reserved for revealing things that are embarrassing and off the record, but are actually true? Shouldn't the State Department be issuing official U.S. policy towards Ukraine without shame? Why the anonymity? Or has the administration decided not to irritate Putin?

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U.S. says it's up to Ukraine to succeed:
[India News]: WASHINGTON, March 9 : The United States likes the new Ukrainian leader's program but it's up to his administration to succeed, a U.S. State Department official said Wednesday.

"It's (President Viktor) Yushchenko's responsibility to succeed," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The official said the Bush administration liked Yushchenko's stated goals of creating a democratic and open society, cleaning up corruption and integrating into the Euro-Atlantic community, and added it could help "in a variety of ways."

Since Yushchenko's election, the official said, the two sides had resumed "very intense" relations at the highest levels.Their bilateral agenda included Ukraine's demand for a market-economy status from the United States and its bid for membership into the World Trade Organization.

The official denied Washington was not delivering to Ukraine many of the expected incentives -- including market-economy status and WTO membership -- following the pro-Western Yushchenko's contentious election victory last year.

"This is something they get for performance, not because we love them," the official said.

He added, however, market-economy status "could happen this year."