Schaffer advises Bush: do not meet with Kuchma (11/03/02)

Schaffer advises Bush: do not meet with Kuchma

WASHINGTON - U.S. Congressman Bob Schaffer (R-Colo.) on October 28 counseled President George W. Bush against meeting President Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine at the November 21 NATO summit in Prague, where NATO members and partner countries will discuss key issues affecting Euro-Atlantic security and stability, terrorism and membership enlargement.

"President Kuchma's consent to the sale of the Kolchuha system, an aerial surveillance system manufactured in Ukraine, to Iraq is the epitome of reckless behavior," wrote Rep. Schaffer in a letter he tendered to the American president and submitted in the Congressional Record. According to Rep. Schaffer, President Kuchma's approval is a clear and direct violation of United Nations sanctions.

The Kolchuha system is a passive, aerial surveillance system, which tracks radio emissions of airplanes. The transfer of this technology to Iraq, according to Rep. Schaffer, "threatens U.S. forces patrolling the no-fly zone in Iraq and jeopardizes the security of the region. President Kuchma's approval of the Kolchuha sale, and the subsequent denials by him and his administration despite irrefutable evidence to the contrary, indicate he has no serious intention of rectifying the crisis he has created," the congressman from Colorado wrote. "His denial further threatens the security of the entire Euro-Atlantic community as well as subvert the national interests of his country and people."

"Under the circumstances," Mr. Schaffer advised President Bush, "isolation of the president and his associates, while improving relations with other Ukrainian officials, is the only logical diplomatic course for the United States. We must do all we can to avoid alienating the people of Ukraine or dampening their enthusiasm for a civil society and democratic reform. As the strongest advocate for improved U.S.-Ukraine relations in the Congress, and as a longtime acquaintance of Kuchma's, I regretfully recommend Kuchma be denied state visits at Prague."

Rep. Schaffer suggested the U.S. government should further clarify its position by ending all foreign assistance funding to the central government of Ukraine, redirecting it toward grassroots democracy programs, small and medium enterprise development and health initiatives. "One only needs to meet an average Ukrainian to know the return on this type of foreign aid investment will be tremendous," Rep. Schaffer commented.

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