Ukraine Will not Pay its Russian Debts with “Black Jacks”

Ukraine and the U.S. have renewed their framework agreement for another six years, whereby Ukraine will receive technical assistance to destroy the strategic carriers and infrastructure of its 43rd missile army. This agreement was to expire next year. Its pro- longation was one of the results of U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen's working visit to Ukraine. A similar arrangement was made previously with Russia, where U.S. firms are also helping to eliminate missiles targeted on North America in the Soviet times. The U.S. side perhaps considers financing such projects the best national security investment.

Mr. Cohen's six-hour visit to the Crimea and talks with the President and the Defense Minister of Ukraine did not make clear another point of vital importance for Washington as well as Kyiv: Ukraine's participation in the KFOR contingent. Even prior to his visit, Kyiv knew that the United States was prepared to sponsor its peacekeeping mission and that Washington was interested in Ukrainian military presence in Kosovo. Mr. Cohen, however, stated that such assistance would be in terms of technological aid or logistic supplies. No mention of “live money,” which official Kyiv expected in the first place. As for the $900,000 Cohen promised, this money will be used for training Ukraine's peacekeeping units — in other words, all kinds of military exercises like the one, titled Peace Shield-99, which started August 1 on the Yavorivsky proving ground.

Ukraine is prepared to send 800 officers and men to contribute to the Kosovo peacekeeping mission, but this will happen most likely after Kyiv is visited by the NATO deputy commander-in-chief in Europe. The general is expected to bring detailed instructions on the still unresolved points: what functions will be assigned to the Ukrainian peacekeeping unit and in what area it will be deployed.

William Cohen affirmed that the United States will continue to assist in the making and development of the National Armed Forces — some $3.4 million has been allocated for the purpose.

Interfax-Ukraine quotes Defense Minister Oleksandr Kuzmuk as saying that Ukraine will not part with its strategic bombers to pay for Russian supplies. Previously, this “aircraft- gas barter” was discussed at length and depth by both Russian and Ukrainian mass media. Today, however, the Defense Minister says that such a deal is only what the journalists assume (July 26, two days after The Day had carried this information, almost immediately after Russian Premier Stepashin”s visit to Kyiv, Mr. Kuzmuk actually confirmed this information in an interview with Interfax Ukraine, stressing that not all strategic bombers would be handed over to Russia, but only “about 10” because “they (Russia — Ed. ) are not in a position to maintain them.” Asked by the news agency about the price at which Ukraine is ready to sell to Russia its TU-160 and TU- 95 strategic bombers, Mr. Kuzmuk said: “That”s not my jurisdiction,” adding that each such warplane would cost much more than $25 million).

If these warplanes are not handed over, they may all be destroyed before December 2001 under START-1, all costs to be borne by the U.S., with the overall amount estimated at more than $8 million.