Experts Urge Ukraine To Strengthen Security Using Nonmilitary Methods
Zhytomyr recently hosted a seminar, Ukraine’s Integration into Euro- Atlantic Structures: the Advantages of the Ukraine-NATO Cooperation, an informative event that drew nearly 200 participants (members of various parties, military, journalists, and people interested in politics). It was organized by the Novi Perspectyvy [New prospects] public organization under auspices of the NATO Information and Documentation Center in Ukraine and Ukraine-NATO Public League. As part of the seminar, a NATO information stand was set up at the oblast scientific library.
Razumkov Center expert James Green’s opinion that the Central and West European countries, including Ukraine, have obtained a unique chance to strengthen their sovereignty merits special note. However, considering the recent Tuzla affair, one can hardly agree with his statement that in terms of foreign politics Ukraine should not be preparing for a large- scale conflict. Simultaneously, the statement supported by other participants — that Ukraine should primarily develop nonmilitary methods of ensuring the security of the state and citizenry, in particular through introducing effective financial controls and combating corruption, especially at the local level, and ensuring adequate environmental protection and health care — is undoubtedly relevant.
Yet, the bottom line of the seminar was that unless Ukraine carries out a defense reform and embraces NATO standards thereby increasing its army’s mobility, our country will not be admitted to this organization. According to Vitaly Yakymchuk, representative of the International Cooperation Department of the Defense Ministry, the separation of functions between the Defense Ministry and General Headquarters has been completed. By 2004, 40% of the Defense Ministry staff will be civilians, and this figure will reach 60% by the end of 2005. It is also planned to disband military formations that have already exhausted their potential and some auxiliary structures by that time. By 2005, 50% of privates, sergeants, and master sergeants will be serving on a contract basis, while by 2012 the army will have been transferred to a contract basis.
Will the alliance come to the rescue of Ukraine, if it is under attack? Head of the NATO Political-Military Steering Committee on Partnership for Peace Robert Siemens in his closing speech recalled in a rather diplomatic way that our country is not a NATO member. However, Ukraine has the right to inform the bloc’s corresponding bodies about its concerns, and NATO can discuss this issue.
What will be NATO’s attitude toward Ukraine in the future? They will look at how transparent and fair the future presidential elections will be. Within this context, Counselor of the US Embassy Casey Christiansen stated that the recent events in Donetsk are a bad signal for NATO.
