NEWSBRIEFS (04/11/99)

NEWSBRIEFS

Kuchma and Yeltsin meet in Moscow

MOSCOW - Presidents Leonid Kuchma and Boris Yeltsin met at the Russian president's Moscow residence on April 1, where the two personally handed over ratification papers on the two nations' treaty on friendship, partnership and cooperation. Mr. Yeltsin commented that the number of misunderstandings between Russia and Ukraine had been steadily decreasing recently. Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk called the signing of the document, which now comes into force, "a historic event for Ukraine and Russia," adding, "the treaty will form the juridical base for all future documents regulating relations between the two countries." The treaty, which formally took effect with the document exchange, is valid for 10 years. Under the treaty, each country agreed to respect the other's territorial integrity and to not use force against the other. The Kosovo crisis was high on the presidents' agenda. NTV quoted President Yeltsin as saying that this "makes the task of such a partnership even more vital." President Kuchma commented, "Ukraine and Russia ought to combine their diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the Kosovo crisis." (Eastern Economist, RFE/RL Newsline)

Ukraine notified about ship movements

KYIV - Verkhovna Rada Committee for National Security and Defense Chair Heorhii Kriuchkov announced on April 5 that Ukraine was informed prior to the event of Russia's plans to send ships to the Yugoslavian war zone. Mr. Kriuchkov added, however, "I cannot predict NATO actions against the Russian Black Sea Fleet base in Sevastopol, should Russia become embroiled in the Yugoslavian conflict." The U.S. State Department announced, "This move by Moscow could give the wrong signals to Yugoslavia and the Balkans as a whole." Meanwhile, Rukh leaders issued a statement on April 5 protesting against the departure from Sevastopol of Russian BSF warships for the Yugoslavian war zone. The statement, signed by Yurii Kostenko, argued that, via the move, "Russian generals have shown the whole world who is really in control in Sevastopol and in Crimea." The statement continued, "Ukraine, against its will, has become entangled in the Kosovo conflict, thus Ukraine itself has become a potential target for a possible military strike." (Eastern Economist)

Ukraine to store Yugoslav planes

KYIV - The Foreign Affairs Ministry on April 5 approved a decision to store seven passenger planes belonging to the Yugoslavian AirTransport company at Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa airports. The planes do not contain weapons, cargo or passengers, and will only be carrying a total crew of 30 persons. Vitalii Moskalenko, a representative of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, stated that Ukraine will not be violating any international agreements or regulations. The planes will not conduct any flights and a service fee will be charged. (Eastern Economist)

Ukraine to take in refugee children

KYIV - During an April 6 conference at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, a decision was reached to give help to Yugoslavian citizens fleeing the country's borders in the wake of the Kosovo crisis. It was announced that Ukraine is ready to welcome refugee children to rest and recuperate at health resorts across the country. According to U.N. data, there are currently 1.6 million refugees from Kosovo, 490,000 of whom have fled to Macedonia and Albania. An April 6 Cabinet of Ministers resolution allocated 1.4 million hrv worth of goods in humanitarian aid to Macedonia in response to the increasing flood of refugees from Kosovo. The Cabinet press service announced that the aid consists of nutritional and medical products, to be financed from the Cabinet's reserve fund. The Ministry of Transport will take responsibility for transporting the aid. Meanwhile, the head of the Foreign Affairs Ministry's Department for Political Analysis and Planning, Andrii Veselovskyi, said on April 6 that Ukraine is counting the cost of losses caused by a break in steamship traffic on the Danube. The river is blocked following destruction of a number of bridges across the river during NATO air strikes. Ukrainian companies are suffering daily losses of $300,000 (U.S.), he said. (Eastern Economist)

SDPU supports Moroz for president

KYIV - Yurii Bezduhan, leader of the Social Democratic Party of Ukraine, announced on April 5 that the SDPU will be backing Socialist Party leader and former Verkhovna Rada Chairman Oleksander Moroz in the forthcoming presidential elections. Mr. Bezduhan predicted that Mr. Moroz would beat President Leonid Kuchma in the second round of elections. (Eastern Economist)

Turkmenistan continues supplying gas

ASHGABAT - Berdymurad Redzhepov, head of the Turkmenneftegaz state company, told ITAR-TASS on April 1 that Turkmenistan will continue gas deliveries to Ukraine, despite the latter's growing debt. Mr. Redzhepov was speaking in response to Ukrainian Prime Minister Valerii Pustovoitenko's announcement that Ukraine may suspend its Turkmen gas imports because it cannot afford them. In December Ukraine and Turkmenistan had signed a $720 million deal for deliveries in 1999 of 20 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Mr. Pustovoitenko said Kyiv currently owes Turkmenistan some $100 million for gas already received. Ukraine is also reported to owe Russian giant Gazprom some $1.4 billion for gas supplies. (RFE/RL Newsline)

Palestinian leader Arafat in Kyiv

KYIV - Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat arrived in Ukraine on April 6, hoping to discuss with President Leonid Kuchma how Ukraine can assist the Palestinian independence movement. Mr. Arafat is currently touring European and Arab countries to discuss the future of the Middle East peace talks. Mr. Arafat stated that a Palestinian Independence Day celebration is planned for May 4. (Eastern Economist)

Georgian foreign minister in Ukraine

KYIV - During his three-day state visit to Kyiv on March 30-April 1, Georgian Foreign Affairs Minister Irakli Menagharishvili met with his Ukrainian counterpart, Borys Tarasyuk, President Leonid Kuchma, Verkhovna Rada Chairman Oleksander Tkachenko and Prime Minister Valerii Pustovoitenko, ITAR-TASS and Caucasus Press reported. Topics discussed included implementation of previously signed agreements on expanding bilateral relations, the TRACECA transport corridor and the transportation of Caspian oil to international markets via the Odesa-Brody pipeline. Ukrainian Television reported on March 31 that Mr. Menagharishvili described the Ukrainian export route for Caspian oil as the most realistic one. Special focus was also given to expanding cooperation within the GUAM alignment (Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova). Caucasus Press reported on March 30 that Georgia has advocated developing a free trade agreement and economic security system among the four GUAM countries. (RFE/RL Newsline)

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