U.S. secretary of state denounces Duma resolution (03/24/96)

U.S. secretary of state denounces Duma resolution

by Marta Kolomayets
Kyiv Press Bureau

KYIV - In yet another reaffirmation of the growing relationship between the United States and Ukraine, Secretary of State Warren Christopher arrived in Kyiv on March 19 for a six-hour visit to meet with top government officials - including President Leonid Kuchma, Prime Minister Yevhen Marchuk, Foreign Minister Hennadiy Udovenko and Parliament Chairman Oleksander Moroz.

Mr. Christopher denounced the Russian Duma for its March 15 vote on reconstituting the Soviet Union, calling it "highly irresponsible." He was to travel to Moscow on March 21 following a visit to Prague where he addressed Central and East European foreign ministers.

"It was disturbing to us, as I know it was for Ukraine, for President Kuchma was certainly correct when he said that the tide of history cannot be turned back. Ukraine and other countries of the former Soviet Union are independent, sovereign nations. Any unilateral attempt to change their status will be rejected by the international community," said the American diplomat.

His comments to reporters, delivered after a 45-minute meeting with President Kuchma at the Mariyinsky Palace, were the sharpest warning to date made by an American official about the mood in the State Duma on the eve of presidential elections in Russia, where popularity polls show Communist Party leader Gennadiy Zyuganov commanding a strong lead.

Secretary Christopher said: "The United States feels that the action of the Duma is a highly irresponsible one. It seems to be designed to have a certain quality of intimidation. It simply seemed prudent to make known our views in advance." He offered his assessment during a brief joint press conference with Foreign Minister Udovenko.

Secretary Christopher, who has met with President Kuchma three times in the past six weeks - during a brief encounter in Helsinki, an official working visit in Washington and now a meeting in Kyiv - hailed Ukraine as a "very important partner for the United States."

"The many times we are meeting I think is a good index of the importance of the relationship between our countries," noted Mr. Christopher in emphasizing and endorsing U.S. support for the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of Ukraine.

He also noted that the U.S. "appreciates Ukraine's determination to develop a pragmatic relationship with Russia, based upon mutual respect for each nation's sovereignty."

President Kuchma condemned the vote by the Russian Duma, pointing out that, while it was not legally binding, "it cannot be neglected from a social and political point of view."

"I think it will spur Eastern European countries wanting to join NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) to become more active," added the Ukrainian leader.

"In spite of the decision taken by the Russian Duma, Ukraine has determined its position regarding NATO and is committed to this position," he noted, explaining that Ukraine wants to remain a neutral state unaffiliated with any military bloc.

Ukraine's position regarding NATO was also a topic of discussion that day during lunch, when the U.S. delegation of 12 and Ukrainian officials such as National Security Adviser Volodymyr Horbulin and Foreign Minister Udovenko discussed this topic.

"We will reinforce our cooperation with NATO and NATO member-states," Mr. Udovenko told journalists later, adding that Ukraine is an active member of the Partnership for Peace program and is part of NATO operations in Bosnia.

Mr. Christopher said the U.S. "supports Ukraine's growing ties to the West and European institutions, including the Partnership for Peace."

Chornobyl issues raised

The problems of Chornobyl were brought up by the U.S. delegation during meetings with Ukrainian officials, including Foreign Minister Udovenko and Prime Minister Marchuk.

Mr. Marchuk said, "Ukraine proposes that a comprehensive agreement be signed to settle the issue of the closure of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant. Until now, the memorandum and other agreements signed between the two countries contained only common approaches."

Foreign Minister Udovenko told journalists that "a political decision was made by the president of Ukraine and the government of Ukraine to decommission the plant."

He explained that closing down the plant, however, is only one step in a complex process, because decommissioning Chornobyl will not solve the problems of safety at the station.

"The most important problems include what to do with the reactor and the facility shelter - the sarcophagus," he added.

"When the G-7 met in Naples in 1994, they did not take into consideration the position of Ukraine," he continued. "At the summit in Moscow on April 19-20 on nuclear safety we want to talk about the real problems of Chornobyl. Last year we lost an entire year on talks - and this ended only on December 20, with the signing of a memorandum. Lastly, Ukraine cannot independently solve the financial aspects of closing down the station; we need substantial aid," he noted.

Mr. Christopher told reporters that the Ukrainian government had extended an invitation to Vice-President Al Gore to attend 10th anniversary commemorations in Ukraine on April 26. However, he issued "a small word of warning, stating that because it is an election year in the U.S., the campaign may preoccupy both the president and vice-president." However he did note that the U.S. would donate $10 million in medical aid and a mobile laboratory to monitor radiation.

The secretary of state also paid a brief visit to Pediatric Hospital No. 14, where children believed to be suffering from the effects of radiation from Chornobyl are treated. Mr. Christopher told reporters he was "immensely moved" by the viist.

Constitution's influence

During his meeting with Secretary Christopher, President Kuchma observed that "events are now under way in Ukraine which will influence not only Ukraine," explaining that these include the adoption of a new constitution. He added that there are also events in neighboring countries that will influence the situation in Ukraine, such as the elections in Russia.

"I think you understand that Ukraine requires political stability as never before," Mr. Kuchma told the U.S. diplomat.

Mr. Christopher noted, "We admire the steps Ukraine has taken on the path of economic reform, and I found of great interest the discussions now taking place in Ukraine with respect to constitutional reform."

The American leader discussed the new constitution with Parliament Speaker Moroz, who noted that, "to ensure domestic stability in Ukraine, which impacts external stability, a democratic constitution is necessary with a clear separation of powers." The Socialist Party leader emphasized that the version of the constitution presented to the Parliament does not meet this criterion.

Mr. Moroz also said, "Ukraine's foremost need is not economic aid, but mutally beneficial cooperation." "The world stands to gain from stable and economically powerful Ukraine, hence support for Ukraine is in the best interests of the international community."

In turn, Mr. Christophers said "the U.S. is aware of Ukraine's role in the world and will support it in every way possible, including financially."

Among the members of Mr. Christopher's delegation were Nicholas Burns, State Department spokesman; Jim Collins, senior adviser to the ambassador at large to the NIS states; Tom Donilon, Secretary Christopher's chief of staff; and U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William Green Miller.

The Ukrainian delegation included Minister of Environment and Nuclear Safety Yuriy Kostenko, Defense Minister Valeriy Shmarov and the Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers Valeriy Pustovoytenko, as well as Ukraine's ambassador to the U.S., Dr. Yuri Shcherbak.

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