Central and East European Coalition

In March, the CEEC reached out to the 2016 presidential campaigns and sent them the CEEC Presidential Questionnaire covering questions of importance to the Central and Eastern European communities in the United States. 

Presidential Questionnaire

2016

 The Central and East European Coalition is comprised of 18 national membership organizations that represent more than 22 million Americans who trace their heritage to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). We are keenly interested in issues that affect the stability and well-being of the region, U.S. strategic interests in the region, and our American constituencies.

1. As President, what would your strategy be to deal with Russian aggression in Ukraine and threats in Central and Eastern Europe?  What options would you employ to achieve Russia?s withdrawal from lands it unlawfully controls, such as Crimea, eastern Ukraine, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Transnistria?
2. What is your position on the current sanctions against Russia? 
3. How do you view NATO?s role in countering Russian aggression? What is your position on maintaining U.S. /NATO equipment and troops permanently in the CEE region? Please provide specifics.
4. Do you favor NATO enlargement to include countries such as Georgia and Ukraine? 
5. What is your position on the Visa Waiver Program?s possible expansion to include other CEE countries, such as Poland?
6. What is your position on U.S. assistance to ensure energy security in the CEE region?
7. What is your position on the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)?

 The Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) joins the United States government in condemning Russia?s aggression against Ukraine and its illegal annexation of Crimea.  The CEEC, comprised of 18 national organizations representing more than 20 million Americans of Central and Eastern Europe heritage, fully supports Ukraine?s aspirations for a democratic society living in peace and security with its neighbors. 

To date, the sanctions imposed by the United States have been insufficient to stop Russia?s further aggression into Ukraine.  Indeed, it appears that the security and stability of the entire Central and East European region is at stake unless further immediate action is taken by the United States, NATO, and the European Union. 

The CEEC therefore calls upon the United States government to do, and work with its allies to implement, the following:                     

•          Support a major OSCE and UN peacekeeping mission (both civilian and military) to Eastern and Southern Ukraine to monitor the situation on the ground and deter provocations that may lead to Russian military intervention;
•         Share relevant intelligence with the Ukrainian government in real time;
•         Hold immediate joint NATO exercises in Ukraine and in bordering NATO ally countries such as Poland and the Baltic states;
•         Support the establishment of permanent NATO bases in these front-line countries to assure their security.  Bases currently used by NATO for training and supply purposes in Central Europe should be made permanent and re-focused to territorial defense;
•         Direct U.S. Navy ships to accept friendly invitations to visit Ukrainian ports;
•         Provide Ukraine with Major Non-NATO Ally Status, thus conferring a variety of military and financial advantages and privileges that are otherwise not available to non-NATO countries, including the delivery of vital weapons;
•         Extend immediate NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP) to Georgia and other countries in the region to solidify Euro-Atlantic structures;
•         Increase U.S. assistance to Georgia, Armenia, Moldova, and Belarus to maintain their independence;
•         Provide assistance to Ukraine to facilitate its continuing transition to a democratic and tolerant society that fully respects fundamental freedoms and the rights of all minority communities, the latter thereby also dispelling a pretext for Russian aggression;
•         Support Ukraine?s full integration into Western structures by accelerating Ukraine?s accession into NATO and the European Union;
•         Take action on President Obama?s Executive Order expanding economic sanctions on Russia to include not only individuals within Putin?s inner circle, but major sectors of Russia?s economy; provide assistance to minimize the impact of economic sanctions on countries bordering Russia; work with major  U.S. companies to curtail their business dealings with Russia;
•         Follow through to provide increased funding authorized by the Ukraine Support Act, signed by President Obama into law on April 3, for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Voice of America to expand their broadcasting in Russian, Ukrainian, and Tatar;
•         Increase funding for people to people programs with Russia and its neighboring countries in both student and professional sectors;
•         Bolster U.S. financial support for Ukraine by supporting a 21^st century Marshall Plan aimed at stabilizing and strengthening trans-Atlantic and regional security.

By implementing the above recommendations, we will build on the laudable steps already taken by President Obama and help ensure the safety and security of not only Ukraine, but the entire Central and East European region.ges, and other content. 

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                    Contact:  Press Department

CENTRAL AND EAST EUROPEAN COALITION 
TO HOLD ADVOCACY DAY ON CAPITOL HILL 
ON APRIL 18, 2013

Washington, DC – The Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) will hold its annual Advocacy Day on Thursday, April 18, 2013.  TheAdvocacy Day will include briefings, meetings with Members of Congress, an evening event on Capitol Hill, and a reception. 

On Thursday morning, beginning at 8:30 am, an informative briefing session will take place on Capitol Hill with presentations on issues of concern to the respective communities represented by the CEEC in the United States. These objectives and goals will be outlined in the spring 2013 version of CEEC’s policy paper, which will be made available prior to the event.  

During the day-long event, participants in the Advocacy Day will meet with members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate and their staffs to discuss key policy issues as outlined in the policy paper.  About 20-25 visits are being planned with the offices of influential Members of Congress, including relevant committees.  

After the Congressional meetings, participants are invited to attend an evening debriefing and reception sponsored by the CEEC on Capitol Hill.

The CEEC encourages the active participation of all our communities in promoting the need for greater U.S. foreign policy engagement in Central and Eastern Europe.

For further information, and to register, please contact the CEEC via email at ceecoalition@gmail.com or by calling (301) 340-1954.

Established in 1994, the Central and East European Coalition is comprised of 18 nationwide organizations representing more than 20 million Americans who trace their heritage to that part of the world.

(Washington, D.C.) --- On July 25, 2012, the Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) sponsored a policy forum on Capitol Hill entitled: "The Impact of Russian Soft Power in Washington and its Spillover Effects.? Panelists included Ariel Cohen, Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation; Susan Corke, Director of Eurasia Programs at Freedom House; Jeff Trimble, Deputy Director of the International Broadcasting Bureau; and Irena Van Deusen, Managing Editor, Voice of America Russian Service.

The event was moderated by Dr. Nino Japaridze of the Georgian Association in the U.S., with introductory remarks by Alice Kipel of the Belarusan-American Association.  Both are representatives of the CEEC, which is comprised of 18 American ethnic organizations representing over 20 million Americans.

Ms. Corke, the first presenter, noted that recent punitive legislation introduced by the Russian government against nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and citizen protesters poses a direct challenge to the international community and those who support the protection of democratic rights. President Putin is deliberately and systematically trying to silence groups whose criticism of his human rights record exposed weakness and helped fuel months of protests against his rule. To justify his repressive moves, Putin needs an enemy - a threat beyond Russia?s borders to rally the nation behind him.  The U.S. government, in solidarity with international governments and NGOs, must stand up for the beleaguered organizations in Russia who seek a more democratic future. Putin knows that support for those who seek fundamental freedoms is a powerful form of soft power.

In his extensive remarks Dr. Cohen observed that Russian leaders, since Putin?s assumption of power, have viewed the purpose of soft power much like their predecessors did: to extend Russian influence and constrain America?s. To this end, the Russian government allocated $1.4 billion for international propaganda in FY 2010, increasing that budget by 33 percent from FY 2009.  Russia?s premier soft power instrument is its global television empire led by RT, with a significant presence in Washington, D.C.  Its priority is to denigrate America, disparage other perceived enemies, and promote the notion of a multipolar world to counterbalance U.S. dominance. Dr. Cohen believes that the U.S. Administration and Congress should:

�         Create a federally funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) to collect and analyze data on the public diplomacy investments and activities of China, Russia, Iran, and other countries challenging U.S. policies values, and leadership.

�         Use the findings of this research to craft presidential policy directives on public diplomacy.

�         Task the State Department to collect from its many embassies best public diplomacy practices for improving U.S. public diplomacy programs.

�         Ensure visa parity and freedom from interference for U.S. journalists reporting in/and on China, Russia, and other states whose public diplomacy outreach counters U.S. policies and leadership.

Russia Today (RT) has well-staffed broadcast bureaus in Washington DC and in New York, noted Mr. Trimble. It now has distribution in ten U.S. states and in Washington DC ? potentially reaching 50 million viewers in English and Spanish.  Taking full advantage of new technologies, new media as well as traditional media ? Russia (through RT), China and others are bringing their narratives and their ways of defining themselves directly to the U.S. public.  The openness of American society facilitates the soft power efforts by various foreign entities to propagate their perspectives and views in this country.  Americans, however, have nothing to fear from free and open exchange of ideas, a concept woven into our national identity and reflected most prominently in the First Amendment.

In contrast, Mr. Trimble remarked that Russia?s Duma has recently passed a series of restrictive laws on NGOs, defamation, and the Internet, further downgrading freedom of speech in Russia. Additionally, the vagueness of these laws, characteristic from Soviet times, could cripple free expression and freedom of the press. 

 U.S. international broadcasts are limited today to a single FM station in Russia?s Kola Peninsula and two weak AM (medium-wave) stations in Moscow. There are no domestic TV broadcasts. Worse, as of November 10, 2012, RFE/RL?s MW transmitter in Moscow will no longer be legal. Despite these challenges, the U.S. continues efforts to reach audiences in Russia primarily through Russian-language RFE/RL and VOA digital and shortwave platforms. 

Mr. Trimble noted that U.S. International Broadcasting is prohibited by legislation to conduct propaganda and is limited to: (1) broadcast reliable, authoritative, accurate and objective news; (2) project a balanced and comprehensive view of United States thought and institutions, reflecting the diversity of culture and society; and (3) present the policies of the United States Government including  discussions and opinions on those policies.

During her comments, Ms. Van Dusen remarked that the ?Voice of America Russian Service  (VOARS) offers a valuable platform for views in Russia, being the only resource for objective discussion on American thought on events relevant to Russian speakers in the region.? VOARS is engaging its audience by offering balanced reporting and a forum for ideas, despite media restrictions and pressure from the Russian government.  Under pressure by the authorities in Moscow, radio and television affiliate stations in Russia have stopped broadcasting VOA programs.  To circumvent such restrictions, VOARS adopted an Internet-only strategy in 2008. Unfortunately, Russian-language VOA radio broadcasts were terminated just days before Russia?s war with Georgia that year.  VOARS now offers through web-based discussion, dialogue, and multimedia presentation a timely and trustworthy source of news, information and analysis of the U.S.-Russian relationship, global events relevant to Russia, and projects America?s way of life and culture. This is something seldom heard on any of Russia?s state-run media.

More information can be found on the CEEC website, http://ceecoalition.us, including full texts of the remarks. 

PRESIDENTIAL QUESTIONNAIRE

SEPTEMBER 2012

 THE CENTRAL AND EAST EUROPEAN COALITION (CEEC) IS COMPRISED OF 18 NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATIONS THAT REPRESENT MORE THAN 22 MILLION AMERICANS WHO TRACE THEIR HERITAGE TO THE COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE (CEE). WE ARE KEENLY INTERESTED IN ISSUES THAT AFFECT THE STABILITY AND WELL-BEING OF THE REGION, U.S. STRATEGIC INTERESTS IN THE REGION, AND OUR AMERICAN CONSTITUENCIES.

THE ENLARGEMENT OF NATO HAS BEEN A MAJOR BIPARTISAN FOREIGN POLICY SUCCESS OF THE UNITED STATES. THE ADMISSION OF NUMEROUS CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES HAS ALREADY BORNE FRUIT BY ENHANCING THE SECURITY AND STABILITY OF THE REGION AND CONTRIBUTING TO THE WAR ON TERRORISM.

• WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF NATO?
• DO YOU SUPPORT CONTINUED NATO ENLARGEMENT, AND IF SO, WHAT ROLE WOULD THE UNITED STATES PLAY UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP?
• HOW AND WHEN SHOULD COUNTRIES, SUCH AS GEORGIA, BE INTEGRATED INTO NATO?

QUESTION 2 ? KREMLIN IMPERIALISM, HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE RULE OF LAW

THE GROWING TENSE SITUATION IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION HAS CAUSED INCREASED ALARM AMONG ALL OF RUSSIA?S SURROUNDING NEIGHBORS. MOSCOW?S INCREASINGLY BELLIGERENT RHETORIC, INTERNAL VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS, ECONOMIC COERCION, AND INCREASING USE OF SOFT POWER TO FURTHER ITS AIMS, HAVE GONE LARGELY UNHEEDED IN AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY.

• WITH YOU AS PRESIDENT, HOW WOULD THE UNITED STATES RESPOND TO, OR COUNTERACT, RUSSIA?S EFFORTS TO REESTABLISH ITS ?SPHERE OF INFLUENCE??
• DO YOU SUPPORT PASSAGE OF THE MAGNITSKY ACT? IF NOT, WHY?
• WHAT STEPS WOULD YOUR ADMINISTRATION TAKE TO ADDRESS THE INCREASED PREVALENCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION?
• HOW WOULD YOU EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ?RESET??
• WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR FUTURE RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA, GIVEN ITS CURRENT DIRECTION?

QUESTION 3 ? VISA WAIVER AND OTHER VISA ISSUES

THE VISA WAIVER PROGRAM INCLUDES MANY COUNTRIES FROM THE CEE REGION, BUT SOME, INCLUDING POLAND ?AMONG THE MOST FAITHFUL, DEPENDABLE, AND SUPPORTIVE ALLIES OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE WARS IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ ? DO NOT QUALIFY. MANY AMERICANS OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN BACKGROUNDS ARE FRUSTRATED BY THE DELAYS AND REFUSALS THAT OUR COLLEAGUES, FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS ENCOUNTER IN TRYING TO OBTAIN VISAS TO VISIT THE UNITED STATES.

• WHAT STEPS WOULD YOU TAKE TO ENSURE THAT THE VISA WAIVER PROGRAM IS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THE MOST SUPPORTIVE ALLIES OF THE UNITED STATES, E.G., POLAND?
• WHAT OTHER STEPS WOULD YOU TAKE TO FACILITATE THE ABILITY OF CENTRAL AND EAST EUROPEAN NATIONALS TO OBTAIN U.S. VISAS FOR CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL, TOURISM, AND FAMILY VISITS?
• WE ALSO NOTE THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS USED VISA RESTRICTIONS AS A FOREIGN POLICY TOOL. DO YOU SUPPORT VISA RESTRICTIONS (SUCH AS THOSE IMPOSED ON OFFICIALS OF THE LUKASHENKA REGIME IN BELARUS) AS A MEANS TO COMBAT HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS?

QUESTION 4 ? IMMIGRATION

MANY IMMIGRANTS, INCLUDING THOSE FROM CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE, HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COME TO THIS COUNTRY AS A RESULT OF THE DIVERSITY VISA PROGRAM.

• IF ELECTED, WOULD YOU SUPPORT THE CONTINUATION OF THE DIVERSITY VISA PROGRAM?
• DO YOU BELIEVE THAT IMMIGRATION TO THE UNITED STATES SHOULD BE INCREASED, MAINTAINED AT CURRENT LEVELS OR DECREASED? PLEASE EXPLAIN. 
• WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON SOLVING THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION PROBLEMS?
• WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON PROVIDING IMMIGRANTS ACCESS TO TAX-SUPPORTED SOCIAL SERVICES SUCH AS PUBLIC EDUCATION, MEDICAID, MEDICARE AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE?

QUESTION 5 ? SUPPORT FOR CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

THE UNITED STATES HAS PROMOTED DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, MINORITY RIGHTS AND NATIONAL SELF-DETERMINATION AS THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNANCE FOR ALL NATIONS. TO IMPLEMENT THESE PRINCIPLES AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF FREE MARKETS AFTER THE FALL OF COMMUNISM, THE UNITED STATESHAS CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE.

• WHAT ARE YOUR POLICIES REGARDING FUTURE U.S. ASSISTANCE TO CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE?
• ARE THERE SPECIFIC AREAS THAT MERIT CONTINUED OR ADDITIONAL FUNDING? EXAMPLES MIGHT BE:

-          FREEDOM SUPPORT ACT (FSA), SUPPORT FOR EAST EUROPEAN DEMOCRACY (SEED);

-          SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION IN COUNTRIES WITH AUTHORITARIAN REGIMES;

-          VOICE OF AMERICA AND RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY BROADCASTING IN THE CEE REGION AND/OR U.S. COOPERATIVE BROADCAST EFFORTS WITH    EUROPEAN ALLIES (SUCH AS BELSAT TV DIRECTED AT BELARUS);

-          PROMOTION OF THE RESTITUTION OF PROPERTIES (INCLUDING CHURCH AND COMMUNAL PROPERTIES) CONFISCATED BY PREVIOUS COMMUNIST REGIMES;

-          EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL EXCHANGES.

• DO YOU SUPPORT U.S. AFFIRMATION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE, AS WELL AS THE UKRAINIAN FAMINE-GENOCIDE (HOLODOMOR) OF 1932-33?

QUESTION 6 ? MILITARY ASSISTANCE

U.S. ENGAGEMENT IN THE CEE REGION REMAINS AN INDISPENSABLE ASSURANCE FOR REGIONAL STABILITY, PROVIDING MEMBER STATES WITH ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF PHYSICAL AND POLITICAL SECURITY. IT HAS ASSISTED THESE COUNTRIES IN BECOMING MORE EFFECTIVE PARTNERS IN NATO OR SUITABLE CANDIDATES FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE ALLIANCE.  REALIZING THE NEED FOR THE UNITED STATES TO HAVE STRONG, EFFECTIVE AND RELIABLE PARTNERS IN THE CEE REGION, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR POSITION AS PRESIDENT REGARDING:

• PLANNED MISSILE DEFENSE DEPLOYMENT IN EUROPE?
• EXPANDED U.S. PARTICIPATION IN JOINT MILITARY TRAINING AND EXERCISE PROGRAMS IN THE CEE COUNTRIES?
• MAINTENANCE OF CURRENT OR EXTENDED LEVELS OF CEE COUNTRIES? MILITARY PERSONNEL ENROLLMENT IN U.S. MILITARY ACADEMIES AND VARIOUS STAFF SCHOOLS?
• PARTICIPATION OF CEE COUNTRIES IN THE U.S. MILITARY?S PLANNING AND COMMAND STRUCTURES INVOLVING THE DEFENSE OF THE REGION?

• CONTINUATION OF U.S. INTERACTION AND COOPERATION WITH MILITARIES OF THE VARIOUS CEE COUNTRIES?
• CONTINUATION OF FUNDING FOR THE WARSAW INITIATIVE, PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE, FOREIGN MILITARY FINANCING (FMF), INTERNATIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION AND TRAINING (IMET), SHARING OF EXCESS DEFENSE ARTICLES AND SIMILAR PROGRAMS? 

QUESTION 7 - ENERGY SECURITY

ENERGY HAS EMERGED AS ONE OF EUROPE?S MOST SERIOUS LONG-TERM SECURITY CHALLENGES, WITH THE KREMLIN USING ITS ENERGY RESOURCES FOR POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC PRESSURE IN THE CEE REGION, IN PARTICULAR.

• WHAT WOULD YOUR ADMINISTRATION DO TO FACILITATE DIVERSIFICATION OF ENERGY SUPPLY OPTIONS OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES AND TO COMBAT AGGRESSIVE RUSSIAN ENERGY POLICIES?
• HOW WOULD YOUR ADMINISTRATION FACILITATE A COMMON EUROPEAN ENERGY STRATEGY?
• WHAT IS THE U.S. ROLE IN ENSURING THE SAFETY OF NUCLEAR REACTORS IN THE CEE REGION?

QUESTION 8 ? INTERACTION WITH THE CEEC

THE CEEC HAS BEEN REGULARLY CONSULTED OVER THE YEARS ON A VARIETY OF ISSUES, SUCH AS NATO ENLARGEMENT, U.S. ASSISTANCE TO CENTRAL ANDEASTERN EUROPE, BOSNIA, KOSOVO, THE COMPREHENSIVE NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY, MISSILE DEFENSE, AND OTHER KEY ISSUES OF NATIONAL CONCERN. OUR MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS REGULARLY MEET INDIVIDUALLY AND AS A COALITION, WITH HIGH-LEVEL OFFICIALS AT THE WHITE HOUSE, STATE DEPARTMENT, AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. WE MAINTAIN A CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH BOTH THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT.

• WHAT INTERACTION DO YOU FORESEE YOUR ADMINISTRATION HAVING WITH OUR COALITION?

Irina Van Dusen, Managing Editor, VOA Russian Service

Voice of America is engaging its audience in Russia, offering balanced reporting and a forum for ideas, despite media restrictions and pressure from the Russian government, according to the managing editor of VOA's Russian Service, Irina Van Dusen. 

The Central and East European Coalition sponsored a July 25 policy forum on Capitol Hill entitled, "The Impact of Russian ?Soft? Power in Washington and Its Spillover Effects." Panelists included Ariel Cohen, Senior Research Fellow of the Heritage Foundation, Susan Corke Director for Eurasia Programs in the Freedom House, Jeff Trimble, Deputy Director of the International Broadcasting Bureau, and Irina Van Dusen, Managing Editor in the Voice of America Russian Service.

Read Alice Kipel's introductory remarks here: Alice Kipel introductory remarks - CEEC Policy Forum 7-25-12.pdf

Read Ariel Cohen's remarks here: Ariel Cohen remarks - CEEC Policy Forum 7-25-12.pdf

Read Susan Corke's remarks here: Susan Corke remarks - CEEC Policy Forum 7-25-12.pdf

Read Jeff Trimble's remarks here: Jeff Trimble remarks - CEEC Policy Forum 7-25-12.pdf

Read Irina Van Dusen's remarks here: Irina Van Dusen remarks - CEEC Policy Forum 7-25-12.pdf

Central and East European Coalition

invites you to a Policy Forum

The Impact of Russian “Soft” Power in Washington and Its Spillover Effects

Panelists:

          Ariel Cohen, Senior Research Fellow, Heritage Foundation

    Susan Corke, Director for Eurasia Programs, Freedom House

  Jeff Trimble, Deputy Director, International Broadcasting Bureau  

  Irina Van Dusen, Managing Editor, Voice of America Russian Service    

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Room SD-G11

Dirksen Senate Office Building

Constitution Avenue and 1st Street, NE

Refreshments will be served

RSVP (acceptances only):

ceecoalition@gmail.com

Tel. 202-481-3334

 Below is the content of the letter sent out by the CEEC to Congressional leaders asking for their support of the Jobs Originated Through Launching Travel (JOLT) Act.

 On behalf of the Central and East European Coalition, which is comprised of 18 national organizations representing more than 20 million Americans who trace their heritage to Central and Eastern Europe, we are writing to urge your co-sponsorship of H.R.5741, the Jobs Originated through Launching Travel (JOLT) Act of 2012, introduced by Representative Joe Heck on May 15, 2012.

 As you may know, this bi-partisan initiative has been hailed as a concrete step in increasing the number of travel and tourism related jobs as well as the industry's revenue.

 U.S. Travel Association CEO and President Roger Dow praised the Bill stating that: ?The JOLT Act reforms significant difficulties in our current visa and entry process while at the same time increasing safeguards and making it more attractive for millions of people around the world to visit the United States.?

For example, H.R. 5471 will allow Customs and Border Protection to add foreign nationals to the Global Entry system after their respective governments have signed bilateral agreements with the U.S. In addition, the Bill has set a goal of conducting 80 percent of all non-immigrant visa interviews within 15 business days of requesting an appointment.

 Considering that more than 65 percent of all travelers to the U.S. come from countries that are currently members of the Visa Waiver Program, the Bill modifies the Program to allow additional countries to be considered for admission ? given that they meet stringent security and law enforcement cooperation requirements ? by making the overstay rate the main criterion for eligibility and participation.

Finally, the Bill calls for a pilot program for premium visa processing while increasing transparency by making available to the public historical data on visa-processing wait times.

 It is often said that "travel broadens the mind and raises the spirit," but also that "the most difficult step of any journey is the first." In addition to broadening the mind and raising the spirit of travelers, it should also be stressed that the benefit for travel destinations is the promise of considerable economic opportunity. In order to remain competitive with other travel destinations, the United States must take steps to ensure a hassle-free process while simultaneously protecting our nation?s security. The JOLT Act does just that.

Therefore, we strongly urge you to support H.R.5741. In the meantime, should you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Dr. Barbara B. Andersen at (202) 296-6955.

WASHINGTON --  The Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) will hold its annual Advocacy Day on Wednesday, April 25, 2012.  The Advocacy Day will include briefings, meetings with Members of Congress, an evening event on Capitol Hill, and a reception. 

On Wednesday morning, beginning at 8:30 am, an informative briefing session will take place at the historic Stewart Mott House with presentations on issues of concern to the CEEC?s respective American communities:  Russian influence in Central and Eastern Europe; security concerns; the upcoming NATO summit in Chicago; appropriations programs in the region; Visa Waiver program; human/minority rights, genocide affirmation and historical accuracy; and exchange programs. 

During the day-long event, participants in the Advocacy Day will meet with members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate and their staffs to discuss key policy issues on the topics outlined above.  Among the planned visits are with the co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Central and East Europe, Congressmen Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) and Daniel Lipinski (D-IL).  The Caucus is committed to enhancing relations between the United States and Central and Eastern Europe.

After the Congressional meetings, participants are invited to attend an evening event sponsored by the Armenian Assembly of America to remember the Armenian genocide. The event will take place in the Russell Senate Office Building, and will include invited members of the House and Senate, Advocacy Dayparticipants, and representatives from the communities.

The CEEC encourages the active participation of all our communities in promoting the need for greater U.S. foreign policy engagement in Central and Eastern Europe. Our main policy objectives and goals are outlined in our 2012 Policy Paper, which will be made available soon.

For further information, and to register, please contact the CEEC via email at ceecoalition@gmail.com or by calling (202) 481-3334.

Established in 1994, the Central and East European Coalition is comprised of 18 nationwide organizations representing more than 20 million Americans who trace their heritage to that part of the world.

The Central and East European Coalition held a successful and productive Advocacy Day on October 5, 2011, that included private meetings with 17 Members of Congress or their representatives. These included staffers and four members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee - Dick Durbin (D-IL), Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Bob Casey (D-PA), John Barrasso (R-WY) – as well as Senators Mark Kirk (R-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jon Kyl (R-AZ), and House Representatives including Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Todd Rokita (R-IN), Dan Benishek (R-MI), Albio Sires (D-NJ), Andy Harris (R-MD), John Shimkus (R-IL), and Mike Quigley (D-IL).

For more information, please read the following press release: CEEC October 2011 Advocacy Day Report.pdf

The Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) will hold its Fall Advocacy Day on Wednesday, October 5, 2011.

The Advocacy Day will include briefings, meetings with Members of Congress, and an evening awards reception with members of the Congressional Caucus on Central and East Europe. Co-chaired by Congressmen Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) and Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), the Caucus is committed to enhancing relations between the United States and Central and Eastern Europe.

Full press release available here: CEEC Oct. 5 Advocacy Day Press Release.pdf

CEEC sent a letter to Chairman Kerry and Senator Lieberman to show CEEC's appreciation for  their Op-Ed: Five Steps to take on the crackdown in Belarus, published in The Washington Post on Sunday, January 30, 2011.

Read the article: kerry.senate.gov/press/speeches/speech/?id=ae9ff2cd-5056-a032-520c-ce40467bfac2

Read the letter: CEEC Letter to Senators Kerry and Lieberman

The President of the Polish American Congress Frank Spula, Director of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America Michael Sawkiw Jr., and Managing Director of the Joint Baltic American Nation Committee Karl Altau sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to show their concern over post-election crackdown by the Lukashenka's regime on peaceful demonstrators, democratic activists, journalists and civil society.

Read the letter: www.americanhungarianfederation.org/news_CEEC_Lukashenko.htm

 Feb 2, 2010 -  "As the House and Senate Armenian Genocide resolutions saw the additions of Congresswoman Judy Chu, and Senators Sam Brownback and Michael Bennet during the month of January, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) also welcomed the unanimous support of the Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) regarding U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide, reported the American Assembly of America (Assembly)."

Read more: dev.panarmenian.net/eng/world/news/43640/CEEC_unanimously_supports_US_reaffirmation_of_Armenian_Genocide

On October 27, 2000 CEEC sent a letter to a speaker J.Dennis Hastert to "express deep disappointment regarding the withdrawal of House Resolution 596, the 'Affirmation of the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide', from floor consideration for the remainder of the 106th Congress."

Read the letter: CEEC letter

In 2008 CEEC sponsored a press conference to discuss the current status of Georgia at that time. Speakers included Mr. Mamuka Tsereteli, President – Georgian Association of the U.S.; Amb. Bill Courtney, former U.S. ambassador to Georgia; and, members of the Central and East European Coalition representing various American national organizations of Central and East European heritage.

Read more: invasionintogeorgia.org/news/central-and-east-european-coalition-press-conference/1231.html

Leaders of Central and East European Coalition met George W. Bush at the White House "to discuss critical issues affecting the region".

Read the article: pac1944.org/ceec/PR-081024.htm