Defense Dep't delegation urges Ukraine to give up nuclear arms (10/10/93)

Defense Dep't delegation urges Ukraine to give up nuclear arms

by Marta Kolomayets
Kyyiv Press Bureau

KYYIV - The United States believes that Ukraine has a genuine security problem that will be solved once Ukraine gives up its nuclear arsenal, a U.S. government official said in Kyyiv on Thursday afternoon, October 7.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Graham Allison told reporters the U.S. government feels that "nuclear weapons on Ukraine's territory, in fact enhance its insecurity, because of risks of accidents, unauthorized launches or some incident between Russia and Ukraine." This is opposite of the view of some Ukrainian officials, he added, who think that nuclear weapons buttress Ukraine's security.

In view of Sunday's events in Moscow, Mr. Allison said he was hopeful the continuation of the democratic process in Russia would allow Ukraine to live in some degree of security, next door to a reformed Russia.

"Therefore, these events make more likely the fulfillment of Ukraine's commitment to ratify START I and accede to the NPT," he said during a news conference prior to his departure for Washington.

However, he worried that START I would not be ratified in Ukraine's Parliament any time soon.

"There's no doubt that the process of ratification of START l has dragged out for a long time and the process of the Rada's [i.e., the Supreme Council's] preparations for elections risks a period of paralysis in the Rada's politics," he said. Ukraine's Parliament had scheduled elections for March 27, 1994.

"But, in terms of Ukraine's interests, the period of prolonged uncertainty or delay in the fulfillment of international obligations which the government of Ukraine has taken in ratifying START I and NPT will not enhance Ukraine's security. It will only make Ukraine appear less responsible and therefore undermine the strengthening of relations with nations like the United States and major European countries," Mr. Allison said.

He added that Ukraine risks losing $175 million appropriated under the Nunn-Lugar agreement for technical assistance in nuclear disarmament. He said that only one obstacle remains to the release of these funds: Ukraine must sign an umbrella agreement which outlines the categories of equipment and activity on which the funds can be spent. The funds have to be claimed by early 1994.

Mr. Allison chaired the first working group on U.S.-Ukrainian bilateral defense matters, which arrived in Kyyiv on Monday, October 4. He said this delegation's work, which included an agreement on 17 defense and military programs between the United States and Ukraine, was part of "the U.S. commitment to create a defense pillar in its new, multi-faceted relationship with Ukraine."

The delegation's arrival coincided with Ukrainian Defense Minister Konstiantyn Morozov's resignation. Gen. Morozov had signed an agreement of mutual cooperation with Secretary of Defense Les Aspin in Washington in late July.

"While Secretary Aspin regards Minister Morozov warmly, on a personal basis, I was glad to find that the work of our bilateral working group was not affected in any way. The Ukrainians were prepared to move ahead on all fronts, and this was confirmed by Acting Minister of Defense Ivan Bizhan. So, I believe the developing relationship will not be affected by changes in personalities or ministers," said Mr. Allison.

The U.S. official said President Bill Clinton's foreign policy commitment is to promote a policy that is not "Russia only" or "Russia-centered" in the CIS region. He added that his visit attests to the new U.S. relationship with Ukraine which began with Ambassador Strobe Talbott's visit to Ukraine, followed by Mr. Aspin's trip earlier this year.

He said U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher is scheduled to come to Kyyiv on October 25, to create "a political pillar" in Ukrainian-American relations.

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