Parliament allows Ukrainian soldiers to aid peaceful Kuwaitis

Verkhovna Rada has authorized the dispatch of a Ukrainian radiation, chemical, and bacteriological decontamination battalion to Kuwait. The agreement between Kyiv and Kuwait City was ratified by 258 ayes vs. 121 nays, with 403 registered as present. The law dispatching the battalion, signed by the president, received 253 ayes to 121 nays (401 registered).

The final decision was made the hard way, against the constant background of opposition catcalls. The speaker was busy trying to calm the Solons, calling for the observance of political culture. At times it seemed that Verkhovna Rada would never agree to send the battalion to the Gulf, especially now that hostilities were underway in Iraq. The debate turned out to be very emotional; most who took the floor seemed to confuse the issue at hand — aid to civilian Kuwaitis — with their personal attitude about the military operation in Iraq. Those opposing the Ukrainian battalion in Kuwait insisted that by sending the battalion Ukraine would automatically side with the countries supporting aggression against Baghdad. Supporters emphasized that the Ukrainian battalion would take no part whatever in hostilities. “How can we ignore other people suffering? If we do, will we not find ourselves isolated from the international process? Do we have to always mind our own business?” some asked. Others had their doubts: “Why should the Americans consider the involvement of 523 our officers and men so important? Who is going to pay for sending and billeting the battalion? Will this not expose Ukraine to the terrorist threat?”

NSDC Secretary Yevhen Marchuk justified sending the battalion, and Heorhy Kriuchkov, chairman of the Verkhovna Rada National Security and Defense Committee, underscored the risks involved in the 19th Battalion’s mission in Kuwait. Both took polarized stands serving as graphic evidence of the different sentiments in the audience. “Ukraine must carry out its international duty and fulfill its humanitarian mission in deeds, not words, by aiding Kuwait... Can we consider the efforts of the Red Cross in war as participation in hostilities?” Yevhen Marchuk asked, addressing the lawmakers’ common sense. “Our battalion will carry out rescue, not assault operations,” stressed the NSDC Secretary. In response to those warning that Ukraine’s decision would irritate its strategic partner to the northeast [Russia], he said, “Ukraine is capable of solving complex issues of international life without coordinating its stand with Moscow.”

Those closely following European politics could have a great many things to say about the game being played by Russia, France, and Germany. “How does Ukraine, its government and parliament respond to Russia raising the oil prices by 40% in conjunction with the events in Iraq?” asked Yevhen Marchuk. Heorhy Kriuchkov, in turn, insisted that sending the battalion to Kuwait does not serve Ukraine’s interests but threatens them. Iraq will be followed by Iran, then North Korea. A similar lot could even befall Ukraine. Among other things, Mr. Kriuchkov pointed to the illegitimacy of Kuwait’s request for Ukrainian help. In his words, it became possible only after Washington had made several futile attempts to find a host country for the Ukrainian battalion. “We did not show our preparedness. We were made to do so by a country we all know,” he stressed (Heorhy Kriuchkov is an ex officio member of the National Security and Defense Council and is known to have favored the idea of sending the battalion at the NSDC meeting in February).

In addition to the global issues of war and peace belatedly addressed by people’s deputies, some dealt with practical matters on hand: Who will be in command of the Ukrainian battalion in the first place? Many were afraid the Americans would. Also, financing. As for the battalion’s status, Yevhen Marchuk stressed that it will be under the sole command of the general staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, adding that an appropriate “operational algorithm” has been worked out. “The battalion commanding officer will not carry out any orders from any foreign servicemen without coordinating them with the [Ukrainian] general headquarters,” he said, adding that the battalion must be financed by the state budget: “Once Ukraine decides to dispatch the battalion, it must not resort to any barter or bargaining.” There are agreements with Kuwait and other countries whereby state budget expenses involved in the transportation of the battalion will be reimbursed. Mr. Marchuk stated that such transportation will take 89 IL 76 flights and will cost UAH 32 million.

Representatives of all fractions had a right to speak their mind and they did. The Tymoshenko Bloc, Socialists, and Communists were adamantly opposed sending the battalion to Kuwait. Our Ukraine lawmakers cast their votes at their own individual discretion (44 ayes). The differing views voiced by some and catcalls shouted by others resulted in a resolution approving the dispatch of 532 officers and men.

COMMENTARY

Ihor KHARCHENKO, deputy state secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine:

Unfortunately, the world structures responsible for maintaining international peace have failed to preserve this peace. Ukraine has always stood for settling the Iraqi crisis peacefully, using maximum political and diplomatic means. Apparently, all such attempts did not work and under the circumstances it is necessary to take a closer look at the United Nations system. Here lies the main hidden risk for the international community. As for the risks facing Ukraine, the issue was considered three days ago by a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council. Specifically, it discussed the risks involved in the worst case scenario, precisely the one being played out today. The NSDC was informed about measures being taken by the border guard troops, Security Service, Foreign Ministry, and Emergency Management Ministry. Representatives of the military and security ministries and agencies reported their preparedness to operate in high risk conditions. For the time being we have no reason to discuss any uncontrollable sources of threat. Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada has made a quite complicated decision reflecting the division in public opinion. The arguments voiced by the executive, as we see it, found understanding in some of the people’s deputies. There were also critical voices that are perfectly understandable from the political, emotional, and other standpoints. However, I would like to point out that such a decision would never be made by any parliament without heated discussion. Remember what happened in Turkey when they debated the stationing of foreign military units, or take Hungary deciding on NATO flyovers. Mind you, both countries are NATO members. Ukraine, in contrast, is not even close to NATO membership, yet we made our decision, bearing in mind a clear formula for aiding other countries under attack by weapons of mass destruction. The Ukrainian battalion’s mission is humanitarian above all. Let me repeat and stress: Ukraine is not a member of the so-called Anti-Iraq Coalition.

Borys ANDRESIUK, SDPU(o) faction:

Experts believe that the possibility of sending the battalion to Kuwait will cause some tension in the Muslim communities of Ukraine, yet this assumption is quite hypothetical. The more so that Ukraine is sending that battalion as invited by sovereign Kuwait, not by Iraq. It is being sent on a purely humanitarian mission, to aid the civilian population of another country. In this sense we can foresee no threat. Our battalion will not take part in any hostilities. This is strictly forbidden by law and international agreement. Verkhovna Rada made the decision because it is a duty to be carried out by Ukraine as a founding member of the United Nations. The UN Charter makes it perfectly clear that member countries must provide aid if requested by any country. We are acting in strict conformity with international law. Ukraine does not seek any economic or political dividends, because we set purely humanitarian objectives. Another country asked us to help, and we responded to that request coming from fellow human beings in distress.

Volodymyr HORBULYN, presidential aide for national security:

Verkhovna Rada has demonstrated that it is capable of making responsible political decisions. The resolution just adopted means that Ukraine has taken its stand in defense of the civilian population of Kuwait that might fall prey to weapons of mass destruction. Ukraine has thus shown that it is a civilized country.

Petro SYMONENKO, CPU faction:

Those that voted for sending the battalion [to Kuwait] are responsible for placing Ukraine in a state of war with Iraq. We Communists will stage actions of protest against this war. Ukraine is a founding member of the United Nations and should above all abide by that body’s decisions. Whatever they say about the battalion’s mission, it will be on the side of the US aggressive designs for starting a war against the Iraqi people. Now they’re bombing Baghdad and thousands of peaceful civilians are dying.

Volodymyr BONDARENKO, political analyst:

Personally I believe that we have acted hastily. However, Verkhovna Rada passed a resolution to dispatch the battalion and that says it all. Hopefully, the Ukrainian men will not have to deal with radiation, chemical, or bacteriological weapons. Now our politicians, like those the world over, must aim their efforts at putting out the fire of this war as quickly as possible. We must not forget about the possible negative consequences of our involvement in an action not authorized by the UN and that Ukraine could actually be threatened by terrorism. We must be prepared to recall the battalion to Ukraine.

Yuri PAVLENKO, Our Ukraine faction:

There is an international agreement reading that our military unit will operate only in Kuwait and only to protect the civilian population from possible exposure [to weapons of mass destruction]. I can see no serious arguments against this. Everything said in the parliament by those opposing the battalion’s dispatch was most likely politicking, banking on emotions [rather than common sense]. Ukraine is a big country, and we have a strong army, albeit lacking adequate funds. The army must protect Ukraine not only within but also without. I am convinced that this mission of Ukraine must be expanded, involving the Emergency Management Ministry; the latter should set up refugee camps in the Gulf states to accommodate all victims of hostilities. The Youth Party of Ukraine, which I head, came out with the initiative of accommodating such victims in Ukraine. By the way, President Leonid Kuchma favors our initiative.

Anatoly TOLSTOUKHOV, NDP faction:

When it was time to vote I proceeded from the fact that our military unit is manned by professionals who signed up for the mission, after discussing it with their families. The battalion will be commanded by Ukrainian General Headquarters, so that our men will act only after receiving orders from Kyiv. Besides, they will be there on a peaceful mission, to aid the civilian population. I believe that this argument is quite sufficient for a conscious decision to send the battalion there.