Russia and Belarus are the main suppliers

Ukraine can and must take a fundamentally new step in combating illegal migration, Colonel General Pavlo Shysholin, deputy chairman of Derzhkomkordon (State Committee for Border Security), declared on May 22 at an international seminar on combating illegal migration. He noted that the problem has been under study in Ukraine for the past three years or so jointly with the International Migration Organization. During this period the Ukrainian state has made considerable headway. Derzhkomkordon statistics show that, while the number of illegals caught in Ukraine was steadily in creasing in 1996-99, reaching 15,000 in 1999, in 2000 the number dropped to 5,000. Simultaneously, Mr. Shysholin noted that the number of those seeking their fortunes detained outside and at checkpoints had gone up three times. Most of the illegals come from Russia and Belarus and here the situation is aggravated by the absence of deportation agreements. Meanwhile, there are no places of confinement for illegal immigrants in Ukraine, while some 70,000 have been detained in Ukraine over the years of independence and 15,000 deported. The Colonel General further explained that mobile squads to detect and comprehend illegals have been set up on the eastern frontiers, yet the problem is made worse by the fact that many illegals come to Ukraine on perfectly legitimate grounds, allegedly to take various training course, whereupon they try to flee to the West. To solve this problem, the border guard service, Internal Affairs Ministry, even the Ministry of Education (issuing training authorizations) must combine efforts. John Cook of the IMO said his organization is trying to help Ukraine, by supplying equipment, lobbying for it in Europe, and looking for aid donors. Despite the lack of experience and technical means Ukraine has become an example for many countries in combating illegal immigrants, Mr. Cook stressed.