DAVOS, Switzerland -- Is Ukraine's president undermining democracy? That has been a concern for human rights advocates and U.S. officials since current president Viktor Yanukovych took office nearly a year ago. "We don't want Ukraine to become Russia," said a senior U.S. diplomat.
His chief opponent, former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, is under investigation, and there is a question as to whether corruption or revenge lurks behind her case. Washington Post senior associate editor Lally Weymouth spoke with the Ukrainian president in Davos, Switzerland, last week.
An ambition of the previous regime was to join the European Union. Is that still your ambition? How do you think it is going?
Something you need to know is that the Party of Regions, which is the leading party of the Ukraine today, which I still chair, in its very first political statement adopted in 1997, said that the priority of the party is integration of Ukraine with the European Union.
The other important thing - for the first time, in May of last year, the parliament of Ukraine adopted a law which clearly stated that the goal of Ukraine is to join the European Union. The law was the president's initiative.
Some say that your government is moving this country closer to Russia than to the E.U., and they cite the deal you made last April, when you extended the lease on the port in Sevastopol in exchange for getting lower gas prices from Russia. In retrospect, do you feel this was a good deal?
Ukraine and Russia have had traditional strategic relations. There was just one period in the history of our countries - during my predecessor's rule - when those good relations deteriorated. Trade between our countries fell from 40 billion U.S. dollars to 13 billion dollars in 2009.
The confrontation between Ukraine and Russia led - at least two times - to the inefficient delivery of energy through Ukraine to the European Union. At least twice Ukraine violated its obligations to the European Union when gas deliveries from Russia which cross Ukraine were cut down significantly, and Europe suffered.
I thought Russia cut the gas off?
It was the consequence of the fact that relations between Russia and Ukraine had deteriorated. We are speaking about the results, rather than the fact. Ukraine's policy in 2010 was to improve relations with Russia. And Europe is happy today because it doesn't feel [it has] any problems with the natural gas. Those developments have led to more stability and an improved security situation in the European continent.
You won an election that was regarded as one of the most free and fair. S ince that time, there is concern in the West that there has been backsliding on democracy in your country. Experts and officials talk about whether the local elections held i n October were free and fair. How do you see this situation? Do you plan to do something about it?
I have publicly recognized that the Ukrainian election law has some problems.
I also tried to improve the election law on the eve of the elections as much as I could . . . at the request of the opposition. After the elections, I launched a special working group with international experts. Today this working group is trying hard to develop a new election law in Ukraine.
Your critics also speak of selective prosecutions, and they claim that the current investigations [against politicians] are politically motivated. Why is your government only investigating the opposition?
I would strongly disagree with that suggestion. It is just not true.
The U.S. government says it is true.
In reality, one perhaps should pay less attention to what is said by whom. One has to use the facts. I can give you some of these facts. The country has started a broad campaign against corruption and violation of the law. It is not a selective approach based on political reasons. This campaign affects representatives [regardless of] political party.
Has anyone in your party been investigated?
Yes, by all means.
But the famous names are former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko and the former minister of the economy, Bohdan Danylyshyn, who fled to the Czech Republic and was given asylum under NATO rules.
Let me answer that. As examples, a member of my party, the former chairman of the parliament of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea - and his position today is an adviser to me - he has been detained on charges of corruption. His last name is Hrytsenko.
Getting back to the former minister of the economy - Mr. Danylyshyn - he had never been involved in politics. He was a minister in the previous government. He is accused of committing some acts of corruption against Ukrainian law.
I believe the Czech decision to grant him political asylum was not based on any specific facts that they received from Ukraine's law enforcement agencies.
What Mr. Danylyshyn should be doing is trying to use his own legal experts to prove that he is innocent instead of hiding and trying to avoid responsibility.
But the U.S. government said that, with few exceptions, the only senior officials being targeted have connections with the previous government. Do you plan to put Yulia Tymoshenko on trial?
It is a controversial issue. With regards to the opinion of the U.S. government, it is an issue to be discussed. We believe that position is not really based on facts. I am sure that if everybody just tried to use the facts and the information that has already been provided by the prosecutor general's office - the information shows that we are in the midst of a major fight against corruption.
Those people that you have referred to have really violated Ukrainian laws. As an example, the member of my party, Mr. [Anatoliy] Hrytsenko, he made those illegal actions back in 2007. So this is also a past deed. Only in 2010, quite a large number of people have been brought to criminal responsibility for acts of corruption.
Many of them are either members of my own party or are members of other parties that are members of the governing coalition. This very fact proves that it is not a one-way road in terms of criminal persecution.
Going back to Yulia Tymoshenko - are you planning on putting her on trial?
I am not planning anything. There are laws, there is a code of criminal procedures in the Ukraine vis a vis which every citizen of Ukraine is equal. Which directions the investigators will take now, it is hard for me to know in advance. Of course I very much want to see Mrs. Tymoshenko prove that she is innocent if she is innocent.
People in the United States are also worried about pressure applied to civil society offices and journalists in your country. They say that they believe the pressure is to suppress any opposition activity. Is this fair?
Perhaps you are aware of some specific facts. What civil organizations are we talking about? What officers?
One journalist disappeared, didn't he?
Many journalists disappear all over the world.
That is something to worry about.
By all means that does worry us, but that was many years ago. The investigation is underway.
I was told that there is a lot of pressure by your security organization on civil societies and human rights organizations. Freedom House downgraded Ukraine from free to partly free. What's going on?
I always react very harshly to any violations of human rights. If I hear that any member of the government or official of the government is involved in any pressure, I look into the issue very carefully, trying to find answers.
I still believe that in many ways, such allegations are an attempt to exercise pressure upon the government - the government which has started this large-scale fight against corruption.
You are saying [the report] is an attempt to go after this government because this government is going after corruption?
Yes, I do think so. Let me give you another fact. Today the level of confidence and trust of Ukraine is growing in the world. Almost all the credit agencies have upgraded Ukraine's rating today.
Yet another important fact, the United Nations has four categories for countries: the first group is the most developed nations, the second group is for countries with a medium level of development, the third group is the countries with prospects, and the fourth group is countries with a low level of development and all sorts of deficiencies.
In 2004, Ukraine ranked 70th, and it was in group three. In the past five years, the country came down to the 85th position. That is how we were ranked in 2009.
During the last year Ukraine climbed 16 positions up, so now we are ranked 69th.That was the highest leap in the world in the course of one year. Today Ukraine finds itself in group two. That's an international evaluation.
There is one other important factor that one has to take into account when thinking about Ukraine today. For the previous 20 years of its independence, Ukraine practically did not modernize itself. No serious reforms were undertaken.
Why?
Because throughout those years of independence, Ukraine saw a fierce political fight. There was no stability. When the new president took office in 2010, we finally started global, large-scale reforms. We started the judicial reform, reform of criminal justice, tax reform, public administrative reform.
We are trying to streamline and improve the public finance system. The government's policy is for deregulation of the economy and making the climate for investors more attractive. Clearly this process cannot be completely smooth.
Ukraine has never had a more stable situation than it has today.
How do you see Ukraine's relationship with the United States evolving?
Our relations with the United States are strategic, and on very many issues we are of the same opinion and we support each other.
All of the agreements that were reached last year including at the nuclear summit between President Obama and myself are being implemented almost 100 percent. This is true for the highly enriched uranium program.
The same is true about the removal and destruction of missile fuel and so on. We have a broad agenda between our two countries, and this broad agenda shows that relations between us are good and stable.
Saturday 29 January 2011
Hryschenko: Quality Of Association Agreement With EU More Important For Ukraine Than Date Of Its Signing
KIEV, Ukraine -- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kostiantyn Hryschenko has said that Kiev will make every effort to reach a compromise during talks on an association agreement with the European Union.
He said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine that in general, certain progress had already been made in this direction.
"We expect that the mutual understanding that has been reached, and the fact that the EU presidency will be held by Hungary and Poland, which are consistently defending Ukraine's interests in the EU, will help us complete these negotiations this year," Hryschenko said.
He added that Ukraine expected the EU to adopt political decisions concerning the gradual opening of its market, first and foremost, access to the agricultural market, the services market, particularly transport and energy, as well as the spread in Ukraine of the freedom of entrepreneurial activities and the freedom of the movement of persons.
"Thus, we are currently focusing, first and foremost, on the quality of the future agreement, rather than the date when the negotiations are completed. We will make every effort to reach a respective compromise in the shortest period of time," the minister said.
He said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine that in general, certain progress had already been made in this direction.
"We expect that the mutual understanding that has been reached, and the fact that the EU presidency will be held by Hungary and Poland, which are consistently defending Ukraine's interests in the EU, will help us complete these negotiations this year," Hryschenko said.
He added that Ukraine expected the EU to adopt political decisions concerning the gradual opening of its market, first and foremost, access to the agricultural market, the services market, particularly transport and energy, as well as the spread in Ukraine of the freedom of entrepreneurial activities and the freedom of the movement of persons.
"Thus, we are currently focusing, first and foremost, on the quality of the future agreement, rather than the date when the negotiations are completed. We will make every effort to reach a respective compromise in the shortest period of time," the minister said.
Interview: Exiled Ukrainian Minister Says West Can’t Let Ukraine Become Isolated
PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- Earlier this month, the Czech Republic gave political asylum to a former Ukrainian minister wanted at home on charges of abuse of office.
One of many top officials from the previous, pro-Western government to have come under investigation since the election of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych last year, Bohdan Danylyshyn says the accusations are part of a drive to stifle opposition in Ukraine. He sat down with RFE/RL's Gregory Feifer in Prague.
RFE/RL: Can you explain the charges the Ukrainian government has made against you?
Bohdan Danylyshyn: I've been accused of approving government purchases involving the Defense Ministry and the Boryspil international airport through a single agent. The years 2008 and 2009, during the global financial crisis, were difficult ones for Ukraine. I was doing everything I could to reduce the number of deals through that one broker.
In 2007 [before I took office], deals worth 133 billion hryvnia ($16.5 billion), or 52 percent of all government procurements, were made through him. In the first quarter of 2008, it was 61 billion hryvnia, or more than 77 percent of all deals.
When the Economy Ministry began dealing with the issue [after I took office], the amount dropped to 21 percent in 2008, and around 30 percent in 2009. In those years, especially in 2008, I had conflicts with the former managers of the agency overseeing tenders, especially members of the Regions and Communist parties from the former government led by Yanukovych.
I want to stress that there wasn't a single criminal case launched into activities during the period 2007 to 2008 [when President Viktor Yanukovych was prime minister]. We don’t even have documents showing spending from that time because they’ve disappeared and law enforcers aren’t even interested in them. It shows Ukraine has a system of selective justice.
In any case, the Economy Ministry could only approve procedures and issue permission letters. It didn’t make final decisions about deals. That was taken by other ministries or executive agencies -- in my case, the Defense Ministry.
One of many top officials from the previous, pro-Western government to have come under investigation since the election of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych last year, Bohdan Danylyshyn says the accusations are part of a drive to stifle opposition in Ukraine. He sat down with RFE/RL's Gregory Feifer in Prague.
RFE/RL: Can you explain the charges the Ukrainian government has made against you?
Bohdan Danylyshyn: I've been accused of approving government purchases involving the Defense Ministry and the Boryspil international airport through a single agent. The years 2008 and 2009, during the global financial crisis, were difficult ones for Ukraine. I was doing everything I could to reduce the number of deals through that one broker.
In 2007 [before I took office], deals worth 133 billion hryvnia ($16.5 billion), or 52 percent of all government procurements, were made through him. In the first quarter of 2008, it was 61 billion hryvnia, or more than 77 percent of all deals.
When the Economy Ministry began dealing with the issue [after I took office], the amount dropped to 21 percent in 2008, and around 30 percent in 2009. In those years, especially in 2008, I had conflicts with the former managers of the agency overseeing tenders, especially members of the Regions and Communist parties from the former government led by Yanukovych.
I want to stress that there wasn't a single criminal case launched into activities during the period 2007 to 2008 [when President Viktor Yanukovych was prime minister]. We don’t even have documents showing spending from that time because they’ve disappeared and law enforcers aren’t even interested in them. It shows Ukraine has a system of selective justice.
In any case, the Economy Ministry could only approve procedures and issue permission letters. It didn’t make final decisions about deals. That was taken by other ministries or executive agencies -- in my case, the Defense Ministry.
Ukraine To Boost Military Cooperation With Russia In 2011
KIEV, Ukraine -- Ukraine plans to expand its cooperation with Russia in the military sphere, Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Hryhoriy Pedchenko said on Saturday.He said the agreement was reached at the meeting with his Russian counterpart, Army Gen. Nikolai Makarov, in Brussels on January 27.
Pedchenko said Ukraine and Russia will hold a series of command-staff exercises and tactical maneuvers in 2011.
"We have considerably expanded our military cooperation. If last year we had 40 such exercises, this year we will have 81. This is a great step forward," Pedchenko was quoted by UNIAN agency as saying.
He said such cooperation is very important for Ukraine as Russia has great experience in this sphere.
"They have many well trained officers, specialists and this is very important for us," he said.
Pedchenko said Ukraine and Russia will hold a series of command-staff exercises and tactical maneuvers in 2011.
"We have considerably expanded our military cooperation. If last year we had 40 such exercises, this year we will have 81. This is a great step forward," Pedchenko was quoted by UNIAN agency as saying.
He said such cooperation is very important for Ukraine as Russia has great experience in this sphere.
"They have many well trained officers, specialists and this is very important for us," he said.
Sunday 23 January 2011
Russian Black Sea Fleet Strengthens Presence In Ukraine
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Russian Navy plans to increase its presence on Ukrainian territory by adding urban infrastructure and civilian manpower to its naval assets in Sevastopol.
he command of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet intends to build a housing estate (“mikrorayon”) for 20,000 personnel of the fleet, their dependents, and civilian service providers to the Russian fleet in that city.
The housing estate and associated service infrastructure is planned to occupy both sides of Kazachya Bay, alongside the base of a Russian “marine infantry” (amphibious landing troops) regiment.
The government of Russia will finance this program from a fund dedicated to the socio-economic development of Sevastopol. That fund currently stems from the 2010 arrangements to subsidize Ukraine’s consumption of Russian gas.
The socio-economic fund’s value is deducted from the value of that subsidy. This portion, consequently, helps to consolidate Russia’s military foothold on Ukrainian territory.
The head of the Sevastopol city administration (by law a Ukrainian government appointee), Valery Saratov, has expressed gratitude in announcing this Russian building program.
On April 21, 2010, Presidents Viktor Yanukovych and Dmitry Medvedev signed the agreement to prolong the Russian Fleet’s basing rights in Ukraine beyond the 2017 expiration date, by another 25 years, with a further five-year extension option to 2047.
In return, Russia agreed to grant a 30 percent discount on the price of Russian natural gas to Ukraine, if that price exceeds $336 per one thousand cubic meters (tcm).
It now turns out, however, that an implementation mechanism and even a common understanding of that arrangement are lacking. On April 18, 2010 in Moscow, the Russian and Ukrainian Finance Ministers, Aleksei Kudrin and Fedir Yaroshenko, respectively, started negotiations on implementing the April 21, 2010 agreements.
The Russian side seems more interested in quibbling and stalling, than in delivering. Kudrin insisted that “a new agreement” must be negotiated to define “concrete terms and parameters, on which implementation would depend.”
For his part, Yaroshenko seemed to plead for overcoming a deadlock: “For us it is important to reach a common interpretation, define a common methodology for implementing this agreement in real life”.
While Kiev sounds anxious about Moscow delivering “in real life,” Moscow may well turn its side of the bargain into a dead letter. The price of gas seems unlikely to stay above $300 per tcm (unless Moscow decides to practice overt extortion and by the same token subsidize its own extortion of Ukraine).
Below that price level, Russia can still pressure Ukraine into further concessions, in return for further discounts on the gas price. This would probably be that “new agreement” to which Kudrin is alluding.
Moscow is well placed to implement the naval base extension agreement while bargaining over implementation of the gas price agreement. The April 2010 arrangements are asymmetrical in that the naval base agreement is self-enforcing while the gas agreement is not.
Ukraine lacks the power to withhold implementation or the former, while Russia has ample means to set conditions for implementing the latter.
Since those agreements were signed, Moscow has announced plans to replace old warships of its Black Sea Fleet with new ones, increase that Fleet’s tonnage in net terms, and upgrade the fleet’s weaponry.
Modernization plans as announced during 2010 envisage adding one cruiser, several frigates, and several submarines by 2015.
In addition, one Mistral-class amphibious attack ship (out of four planned for procurement from France) is supposed to be allocated to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.
Russia’s naval presence in Ukraine underscores the Ukrainian government’s lax interpretation of the country’s non-bloc status.
Ukraine’s current authorities have legislated for this status, and drastically curtailed cooperation with NATO, without developing a clear definition of the non-bloc status, or an international legal-political framework to ensure its observance.
Within this grey area, Russia suggests that it would consider modernizing and operating itself the Ukrainian radars in Sevastopol and Mukacheve, as contribution to a common anti-missile defense system.
Russia’s entrenchment in the Crimea has caught NATO, the United States, and the European Union distracted and wrong-footed. Some other actors now seek to develop a soft-security answer.
On January 20 in Strasbourg, the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee adopted a resolution on the full range of security challenges in the Black Sea region.
Inspired by Romanian MEP’s, and intended for submission to the European Parliament’s plenum, the resolution expresses particular concern about the extension of the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s lease on Ukrainian territory.
The resolution suggests that the EU should develop a conflict-prevention and early-warning system. This would serve to build confidence throughout the region and help prevent threat of force, its use or escalation.
Such a system would focus on arms transfers and naval activities. The proposal regards Russia as a desirable partner in such a system, alongside the EU and the Black Sea region’s countries (members or non-members of the EU). This area today faces key challenges that the EU cannot ignore.
he command of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet intends to build a housing estate (“mikrorayon”) for 20,000 personnel of the fleet, their dependents, and civilian service providers to the Russian fleet in that city.
The housing estate and associated service infrastructure is planned to occupy both sides of Kazachya Bay, alongside the base of a Russian “marine infantry” (amphibious landing troops) regiment.
The government of Russia will finance this program from a fund dedicated to the socio-economic development of Sevastopol. That fund currently stems from the 2010 arrangements to subsidize Ukraine’s consumption of Russian gas.
The socio-economic fund’s value is deducted from the value of that subsidy. This portion, consequently, helps to consolidate Russia’s military foothold on Ukrainian territory.
The head of the Sevastopol city administration (by law a Ukrainian government appointee), Valery Saratov, has expressed gratitude in announcing this Russian building program.
On April 21, 2010, Presidents Viktor Yanukovych and Dmitry Medvedev signed the agreement to prolong the Russian Fleet’s basing rights in Ukraine beyond the 2017 expiration date, by another 25 years, with a further five-year extension option to 2047.
In return, Russia agreed to grant a 30 percent discount on the price of Russian natural gas to Ukraine, if that price exceeds $336 per one thousand cubic meters (tcm).
It now turns out, however, that an implementation mechanism and even a common understanding of that arrangement are lacking. On April 18, 2010 in Moscow, the Russian and Ukrainian Finance Ministers, Aleksei Kudrin and Fedir Yaroshenko, respectively, started negotiations on implementing the April 21, 2010 agreements.
The Russian side seems more interested in quibbling and stalling, than in delivering. Kudrin insisted that “a new agreement” must be negotiated to define “concrete terms and parameters, on which implementation would depend.”
For his part, Yaroshenko seemed to plead for overcoming a deadlock: “For us it is important to reach a common interpretation, define a common methodology for implementing this agreement in real life”.
While Kiev sounds anxious about Moscow delivering “in real life,” Moscow may well turn its side of the bargain into a dead letter. The price of gas seems unlikely to stay above $300 per tcm (unless Moscow decides to practice overt extortion and by the same token subsidize its own extortion of Ukraine).
Below that price level, Russia can still pressure Ukraine into further concessions, in return for further discounts on the gas price. This would probably be that “new agreement” to which Kudrin is alluding.
Moscow is well placed to implement the naval base extension agreement while bargaining over implementation of the gas price agreement. The April 2010 arrangements are asymmetrical in that the naval base agreement is self-enforcing while the gas agreement is not.
Ukraine lacks the power to withhold implementation or the former, while Russia has ample means to set conditions for implementing the latter.
Since those agreements were signed, Moscow has announced plans to replace old warships of its Black Sea Fleet with new ones, increase that Fleet’s tonnage in net terms, and upgrade the fleet’s weaponry.
Modernization plans as announced during 2010 envisage adding one cruiser, several frigates, and several submarines by 2015.
In addition, one Mistral-class amphibious attack ship (out of four planned for procurement from France) is supposed to be allocated to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.
Russia’s naval presence in Ukraine underscores the Ukrainian government’s lax interpretation of the country’s non-bloc status.
Ukraine’s current authorities have legislated for this status, and drastically curtailed cooperation with NATO, without developing a clear definition of the non-bloc status, or an international legal-political framework to ensure its observance.
Within this grey area, Russia suggests that it would consider modernizing and operating itself the Ukrainian radars in Sevastopol and Mukacheve, as contribution to a common anti-missile defense system.
Russia’s entrenchment in the Crimea has caught NATO, the United States, and the European Union distracted and wrong-footed. Some other actors now seek to develop a soft-security answer.
On January 20 in Strasbourg, the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee adopted a resolution on the full range of security challenges in the Black Sea region.
Inspired by Romanian MEP’s, and intended for submission to the European Parliament’s plenum, the resolution expresses particular concern about the extension of the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s lease on Ukrainian territory.
The resolution suggests that the EU should develop a conflict-prevention and early-warning system. This would serve to build confidence throughout the region and help prevent threat of force, its use or escalation.
Such a system would focus on arms transfers and naval activities. The proposal regards Russia as a desirable partner in such a system, alongside the EU and the Black Sea region’s countries (members or non-members of the EU). This area today faces key challenges that the EU cannot ignore.
Thousands Denounce Ukraine President
KIEV, Ukraine -- Thousands of supporters of Ukraine's former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko massed in downtown Kiev Saturday to denounce her arch rival, President Viktor Yanukovych, accusing him of being a Russian stooge
ome 6,000 protesters gathered in St Sophie square, answering a call by several opposition parties to mark the 92nd anniversary of the reunification of east and west Ukraine, according to an AFP correspondent at the scene.
Many carried banners calling for the dismissal of both Yanukovych and his Prime Minister Mykola Azarov.
Tymoshenko herself asked the crowds: "Are you ready to take to the streets?" before being greeted by resounding cries of "Yes".
"Those who are in power take their orders from the Kremlin," Dmytro Pavlytchko, a well-known poet, told the gathering.
Ukraine, a former Soviet republic, is deeply divided between the largely nationalist west and the traditionally pro-Russian east, from where Yanukovych hails.
The president, who came to power after elections in February last year, has been frequently accused by his detractors of being too close to Moscow and of persecuting his political opponents.
The protests passed off peacefully after an earlier warning by the interior minister against any use of violence.
ome 6,000 protesters gathered in St Sophie square, answering a call by several opposition parties to mark the 92nd anniversary of the reunification of east and west Ukraine, according to an AFP correspondent at the scene.
Many carried banners calling for the dismissal of both Yanukovych and his Prime Minister Mykola Azarov.
Tymoshenko herself asked the crowds: "Are you ready to take to the streets?" before being greeted by resounding cries of "Yes".
"Those who are in power take their orders from the Kremlin," Dmytro Pavlytchko, a well-known poet, told the gathering.
Ukraine, a former Soviet republic, is deeply divided between the largely nationalist west and the traditionally pro-Russian east, from where Yanukovych hails.
The president, who came to power after elections in February last year, has been frequently accused by his detractors of being too close to Moscow and of persecuting his political opponents.
The protests passed off peacefully after an earlier warning by the interior minister against any use of violence.
Yanukovych: Ukraine Will Restore Its Combat Capability
KIEV, Ukraine -- Ukraine should create new national armed forces, President Viktor Yanukovych said on Saturday at a grand meeting on the occasion of Ukrainian Unity Day.
"Our task is to create new national armed forces practically, as they say, from scratch," the presidential press service quoted him as saying.
Yanukovych said that the state would worry about military security, raising the social status of servicemen, reviving morale, forming a qualitatively new army structure, modernizing weapons and adapting a military doctrine to the challenges of the modern world.
"We will strengthen the power of our defense potential. We will resume investment in the development of the scientific, technological and personnel component of the military and industrial complex," the president said.
"Our task is to create new national armed forces practically, as they say, from scratch," the presidential press service quoted him as saying.
Yanukovych said that the state would worry about military security, raising the social status of servicemen, reviving morale, forming a qualitatively new army structure, modernizing weapons and adapting a military doctrine to the challenges of the modern world.
"We will strengthen the power of our defense potential. We will resume investment in the development of the scientific, technological and personnel component of the military and industrial complex," the president said.
Poland, Ukraine Count Down To Euro 2012
WARSAW, Poland -- Locked deep in winter, Poland and Ukraine are fixing their focus squarely on the summer of 2012, when Europe’s top football showcase is staged behind the former Iron Curtain for the first time.
Euro 2012 kicks off in Warsaw on June 8 that year and ends with the final in Ukraine’s capital Kiev on July 1.
On paper, that leaves 500 days to get ready. But the hosts aim to have the pieces of the puzzle in place by the end of 2011.
Marcin Herra, at the helm of Poland’s preparations, said January to May 2012 will be devoted to ironing out problems.
From their glass-and-steel Warsaw office, Herra’s team have an impressive view of the city-centre construction site of Poland’s national stadium, 10 kilometres (six miles) down the River Vistula.
Their walls are plastered with complex charts plotting progress in dozens of projects, from venues and training grounds, to highways, airport terminals and hotels to cope with an expected 1.2 million fans.
“There’s a big difference when we compare the beginning of 2008, when only one or two investments were under construction,” former oil-industry executive Herra told AFP.
“We expect that 100 percent will be under construction in the first half of 2011. Poland’s the biggest construction site in Europe. There’s a huge amount of work, and it’s very, very visible,” he added.
In 2007, European football’s governing body UEFA caught pundits napping when it chose Poland and Ukraine over favourites Italy and joint bidders Hungary and Croatia to host the quadrennial, 16-team championship.
It marks UEFA’s first serious foray into the ex-communist bloc -- a step shadowed by FIFA in naming Russia to host the 2018 World Cup.
Euro 2008 took place in the comfort zone of Austria and Switzerland, while Euro 2016 will be held in France.
The communist era may lie two decades in the past, but Poland and, to a greater extent, Ukraine face challenges beyond anything in western European host nations.
They have understood that from the start.
“In 2007, we were fully aware that only the first half of the match, against the other bidders, was over,” said Adam Olkowicz, director of the Polish arm of the tournament and deputy president of Poland’s football association.
“In the second half, our only opponent is time,” he underlined.
Poland and Ukraine have been bedevilled by doubters from the outset.
“In 2008 there was a first report by UEFA, and it gave a yellow card. And because of that, the message which went out to the world was that this is high risk. So it’s always difficult to change this,” said Herra.
As recently as April 2010, UEFA chief Michel Platini warned the Ukrianians that if stadium plans in Kiev went awry they would lose their host status.
By August, however, he said the ultimatum had expired.
Ukrainian officials says Kiev’s stadium should open by August 24, in time for the 20th anniversary of independence from the crumbling Soviet Union.
“Today there is no risk, not for the tournament in Ukraine, nor for any serious component of it,” said Ukraine’s deputy prime minister Borys Kolesnikov, who holds the Euro 2012 portfolio.
Martin Kallen, UEFA’s Euro watchdog, said risks are part and parcel of any edition.
“Alarm bells never disappear 100 percent,” he said. “You always have to be very careful until the end. But everything looks promising,” he said. “But it’s also not the most important thing that everything in all areas is delivered as planned. If they bring 90 percent or so, we’ll be very happy,” he added.
Investments in Poland tally 80bn zloty (20.6bn euros, $27.6bn), largely in the transport sector.
Euro 2012 kicks off in Warsaw on June 8 that year and ends with the final in Ukraine’s capital Kiev on July 1.
On paper, that leaves 500 days to get ready. But the hosts aim to have the pieces of the puzzle in place by the end of 2011.
Marcin Herra, at the helm of Poland’s preparations, said January to May 2012 will be devoted to ironing out problems.
From their glass-and-steel Warsaw office, Herra’s team have an impressive view of the city-centre construction site of Poland’s national stadium, 10 kilometres (six miles) down the River Vistula.
Their walls are plastered with complex charts plotting progress in dozens of projects, from venues and training grounds, to highways, airport terminals and hotels to cope with an expected 1.2 million fans.
“There’s a big difference when we compare the beginning of 2008, when only one or two investments were under construction,” former oil-industry executive Herra told AFP.
“We expect that 100 percent will be under construction in the first half of 2011. Poland’s the biggest construction site in Europe. There’s a huge amount of work, and it’s very, very visible,” he added.
In 2007, European football’s governing body UEFA caught pundits napping when it chose Poland and Ukraine over favourites Italy and joint bidders Hungary and Croatia to host the quadrennial, 16-team championship.
It marks UEFA’s first serious foray into the ex-communist bloc -- a step shadowed by FIFA in naming Russia to host the 2018 World Cup.
Euro 2008 took place in the comfort zone of Austria and Switzerland, while Euro 2016 will be held in France.
The communist era may lie two decades in the past, but Poland and, to a greater extent, Ukraine face challenges beyond anything in western European host nations.
They have understood that from the start.
“In 2007, we were fully aware that only the first half of the match, against the other bidders, was over,” said Adam Olkowicz, director of the Polish arm of the tournament and deputy president of Poland’s football association.
“In the second half, our only opponent is time,” he underlined.
Poland and Ukraine have been bedevilled by doubters from the outset.
“In 2008 there was a first report by UEFA, and it gave a yellow card. And because of that, the message which went out to the world was that this is high risk. So it’s always difficult to change this,” said Herra.
As recently as April 2010, UEFA chief Michel Platini warned the Ukrianians that if stadium plans in Kiev went awry they would lose their host status.
By August, however, he said the ultimatum had expired.
Ukrainian officials says Kiev’s stadium should open by August 24, in time for the 20th anniversary of independence from the crumbling Soviet Union.
“Today there is no risk, not for the tournament in Ukraine, nor for any serious component of it,” said Ukraine’s deputy prime minister Borys Kolesnikov, who holds the Euro 2012 portfolio.
Martin Kallen, UEFA’s Euro watchdog, said risks are part and parcel of any edition.
“Alarm bells never disappear 100 percent,” he said. “You always have to be very careful until the end. But everything looks promising,” he said. “But it’s also not the most important thing that everything in all areas is delivered as planned. If they bring 90 percent or so, we’ll be very happy,” he added.
Investments in Poland tally 80bn zloty (20.6bn euros, $27.6bn), largely in the transport sector.
Friday 21 January 2011
Blasts Rock Ukraine Town
MAKIYIVKA, Ukraine -- Criminals set off two explosions on Thursday in Ukraine's industrial east and left a blackmail note warning of further blasts if they were not paid €4 million ($5.4 million), officials said.
The steel and coal town of Makiyivka in the heavily industrial Donetsk region of east Ukraine was on high alert after the warnings said that five more explosive devices had already been laid for new blasts.
The two explosions went off within half an hour in the early hours of the morning in Makiyivka, which is just outside the city of Donetsk, the home base of President Viktor Yanukovych.
Close to where the blasts occurred, officials found an envelope with a letter threatening five more on Thursday afternoon if a large sum of money was not paid, Deputy Interior Minister Vasyl Farynnyk said in Kiev.
He said that the criminals were demanding the money from people well known locally, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported.
The spokesperson for Ukraine's SBU security service in the area, Olexander Balabantsev, told reporters in Donetsk that the criminals were demanding four €4 million ($5.4 million) to halt the campaign.
The letter said that five explosive devices had been laid in the city and they would be set off if the money not paid.
The town was hit by panic as news of the warnings spread, with parents taking their children out of schools and kindergartens even before classes ended.
"We are too scared," said 34-year-old mother Antonina Naumova. "I do not want my child to be at school when such things are happening."
"We do not know where there might be another blast," she added.
The explosions, outside a state coal firm and next to a nearby shopping centre known as the Golden Plaza damaged buildings but there were no reports of casualties.
Yanukovych cut his political teeth in Donetsk and retains a strong following in the region, which is also the home of his close ally and top Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov.
The region has a reputation for violence carried out by competing business clans and Yanukovych himself served jail terms for petty crime under the Soviet Union.
The steel and coal town of Makiyivka in the heavily industrial Donetsk region of east Ukraine was on high alert after the warnings said that five more explosive devices had already been laid for new blasts.
The two explosions went off within half an hour in the early hours of the morning in Makiyivka, which is just outside the city of Donetsk, the home base of President Viktor Yanukovych.
Close to where the blasts occurred, officials found an envelope with a letter threatening five more on Thursday afternoon if a large sum of money was not paid, Deputy Interior Minister Vasyl Farynnyk said in Kiev.
He said that the criminals were demanding the money from people well known locally, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported.
The spokesperson for Ukraine's SBU security service in the area, Olexander Balabantsev, told reporters in Donetsk that the criminals were demanding four €4 million ($5.4 million) to halt the campaign.
The letter said that five explosive devices had been laid in the city and they would be set off if the money not paid.
The town was hit by panic as news of the warnings spread, with parents taking their children out of schools and kindergartens even before classes ended.
"We are too scared," said 34-year-old mother Antonina Naumova. "I do not want my child to be at school when such things are happening."
"We do not know where there might be another blast," she added.
The explosions, outside a state coal firm and next to a nearby shopping centre known as the Golden Plaza damaged buildings but there were no reports of casualties.
Yanukovych cut his political teeth in Donetsk and retains a strong following in the region, which is also the home of his close ally and top Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov.
The region has a reputation for violence carried out by competing business clans and Yanukovych himself served jail terms for petty crime under the Soviet Union.
Ukraine Will Not Demand Information About AIDS From Foreigners
KIEV, Ukraine -- Ukraine has abolished the obligation for foreigners to provide a certificate of absence of HIV/AIDS in obtaining a Ukrainian visa.
Appropriate changes to the law on prevention of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases and social protection of population have taken effect.
This rule has long been considered discriminatory in the world and was cancelled by almost all civilized countries.
Overcoming it is a significant step forward in protecting human rights and reducing discrimination towards people living with HIV/AIDS, says a statement by the all-Ukrainian network of people who live with HIV/AIDS.
Ensuring the confidentiality of a HIV-infected person is another significant addition of new legislation.
If earlier information on a HIV-positive status of a patient could be transferred to other health professionals, now it can be done only with a written consent of the person and as part of employment duties (in transferring the patient to another doctor).
This is a particularly important innovation to protect people in small towns, where disclosure of information would lead to its leakage outside the medical establishment and instant dissemination across the town or village.
The result is a complete loss of normal life for the HIV-positive person due to actual trying to isolate this person from society despite scientific evidence that HIV is not transmitted through everyday contact.
Earlier, the World Health Organization, United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and UNICEF issued a report, according to which Ukraine could have from 160,000 to 190,000 people who need anti-retroviral drugs, namely, drugs that give patients the opportunity to lead a normal life.
Appropriate changes to the law on prevention of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases and social protection of population have taken effect.
This rule has long been considered discriminatory in the world and was cancelled by almost all civilized countries.
Overcoming it is a significant step forward in protecting human rights and reducing discrimination towards people living with HIV/AIDS, says a statement by the all-Ukrainian network of people who live with HIV/AIDS.
Ensuring the confidentiality of a HIV-infected person is another significant addition of new legislation.
If earlier information on a HIV-positive status of a patient could be transferred to other health professionals, now it can be done only with a written consent of the person and as part of employment duties (in transferring the patient to another doctor).
This is a particularly important innovation to protect people in small towns, where disclosure of information would lead to its leakage outside the medical establishment and instant dissemination across the town or village.
The result is a complete loss of normal life for the HIV-positive person due to actual trying to isolate this person from society despite scientific evidence that HIV is not transmitted through everyday contact.
Earlier, the World Health Organization, United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and UNICEF issued a report, according to which Ukraine could have from 160,000 to 190,000 people who need anti-retroviral drugs, namely, drugs that give patients the opportunity to lead a normal life.
Ukraine's Former President Yushchenko To Appear Before Prosecutor
KIEV, Ukraine -- Former Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko was summoned Thursday before a prosecutor to answer questions about his near-fatal poisoning in 2004.
The pro-Western Yushchenko fell ill to dioxin poisoning in September 2004, less than 60 days before the presidential election he eventually won.
He said at the time he believed his political enemies had attempted to assassinate him to prevent a government with a pro- Western orientation from coming to power.
Government interrogators will question Yushchenko starting Friday. No criminal charges have been made against him, according to a statement from the prosecutor general's office.
The summons comes some two months after Ukraine's pro-Russia government kicked off a controversial anti-corruption campaign that has resulted in the jailing of two former government ministers who served in Yushchneko's administration.
Former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko - a onetime ally of Yushchenko - has been repeatedly questioned over allegations she misdirected hundreds of millions of dollars of government funds while in office.
She has charged the government is conducting a vendetta against its critics.
Yushchenko has repeatedly accused Ukraine's current leader, President Vitktor Yanukovych, of failing to push for a full investigation into the poisoning because of their political differences.
Yanukovych ran unsuccessfully against Yushchenko in 2004 with the support of then-president Leonid Kuchma and the Kremlin.
Prosecutor General Viktor Pshonka said in December he was not fully convinced Yushchenko had ever been poisoned - a statement Yushchenko later criticized.
Yushchenko's victory in the 2004 presidential race came only after a third vote, conducted when protesters demonstrated against massive fraud in Yanukovych's favour.
Yanukovych won his second attempt at president in 2009.
The pro-Western Yushchenko fell ill to dioxin poisoning in September 2004, less than 60 days before the presidential election he eventually won.
He said at the time he believed his political enemies had attempted to assassinate him to prevent a government with a pro- Western orientation from coming to power.
Government interrogators will question Yushchenko starting Friday. No criminal charges have been made against him, according to a statement from the prosecutor general's office.
The summons comes some two months after Ukraine's pro-Russia government kicked off a controversial anti-corruption campaign that has resulted in the jailing of two former government ministers who served in Yushchneko's administration.
Former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko - a onetime ally of Yushchenko - has been repeatedly questioned over allegations she misdirected hundreds of millions of dollars of government funds while in office.
She has charged the government is conducting a vendetta against its critics.
Yushchenko has repeatedly accused Ukraine's current leader, President Vitktor Yanukovych, of failing to push for a full investigation into the poisoning because of their political differences.
Yanukovych ran unsuccessfully against Yushchenko in 2004 with the support of then-president Leonid Kuchma and the Kremlin.
Prosecutor General Viktor Pshonka said in December he was not fully convinced Yushchenko had ever been poisoned - a statement Yushchenko later criticized.
Yushchenko's victory in the 2004 presidential race came only after a third vote, conducted when protesters demonstrated against massive fraud in Yanukovych's favour.
Yanukovych won his second attempt at president in 2009.
Topless Feminist Protestors Show What They're Made Of
KIEV, Ukraine -- "Our God is woman, our mission is protest, our weapons are bare breasts." It's the kind of political slogan that's bound to catch attention, particularly when it's dozens of topless women clutching campaign posters who are chanting it.
These are the women of Femen, Ukraine's topless female protest movement. Young women who believe that the best way to make their voice heard is through sheer bare-chested brazenness.
Femen's leader, 26-year-old Anna Gutsol, explains: "Our goal is active Ukrainian women who want to be involved in society and politics.
"We thought we'd create an organization where young girls could come and help others like them and help society. And the format we picked was this extremely sexy, bright way of presenting ourselves."
Gutsol came from the theater business and knows how to create a spectacle. At the downtown Kiev cafe Femen uses a as a base there's a wall of fame dedicated to the international coverage Femen has received since it launched in Summer 2008 -- everything from Germany's Der Spiegel to Britain's The Sun to the U.S. Washington Post.
For a young movement with only around 300 activists, Femen punches well above its weight.
"What we do is we get Ukrainian and international coverage and it shows that the authorities are scared of seeing bare breasts," Gutsol says. "And the fact that they are trying to arrest us and not let us undress now proves it."
Femen started off campaigning against sex tourism. Now its agenda is broader. On a freezing December morning a bunch of Femen activists stand outside the parliament building. They're outnumbered by photographers. It's the day after President Viktor Yanukovych appointed his new cabinet, all of whom are men.
"This cabinet's like a male toilet," the activists scream, holding water bottles to their groins as though they're men in a urinal. This time, though, they keep their jackets on -- it's minus 7 C outside.
Gutsol wants representation for Femen in parliament and she's not scared about tackling issues beyond Ukraine's borders. "Kremlin leave us alone" is part of Femen's political manifesto.
In November last year members protested nude against the death by stoning of an Iranian woman for alleged adultery.
"We got a lot of coverage and a lot of letters from Iran thanking us for our support," Gutsol says. "I don't have advice for women from other cultures about how they should protest but one thing I know for sure is that they should raise their voice."
These are the women of Femen, Ukraine's topless female protest movement. Young women who believe that the best way to make their voice heard is through sheer bare-chested brazenness.
Femen's leader, 26-year-old Anna Gutsol, explains: "Our goal is active Ukrainian women who want to be involved in society and politics.
"We thought we'd create an organization where young girls could come and help others like them and help society. And the format we picked was this extremely sexy, bright way of presenting ourselves."
Gutsol came from the theater business and knows how to create a spectacle. At the downtown Kiev cafe Femen uses a as a base there's a wall of fame dedicated to the international coverage Femen has received since it launched in Summer 2008 -- everything from Germany's Der Spiegel to Britain's The Sun to the U.S. Washington Post.
For a young movement with only around 300 activists, Femen punches well above its weight.
"What we do is we get Ukrainian and international coverage and it shows that the authorities are scared of seeing bare breasts," Gutsol says. "And the fact that they are trying to arrest us and not let us undress now proves it."
Femen started off campaigning against sex tourism. Now its agenda is broader. On a freezing December morning a bunch of Femen activists stand outside the parliament building. They're outnumbered by photographers. It's the day after President Viktor Yanukovych appointed his new cabinet, all of whom are men.
"This cabinet's like a male toilet," the activists scream, holding water bottles to their groins as though they're men in a urinal. This time, though, they keep their jackets on -- it's minus 7 C outside.
Gutsol wants representation for Femen in parliament and she's not scared about tackling issues beyond Ukraine's borders. "Kremlin leave us alone" is part of Femen's political manifesto.
In November last year members protested nude against the death by stoning of an Iranian woman for alleged adultery.
"We got a lot of coverage and a lot of letters from Iran thanking us for our support," Gutsol says. "I don't have advice for women from other cultures about how they should protest but one thing I know for sure is that they should raise their voice."
Sunday 16 January 2011
Agency Hits Corruption In Ukraine
PARIS, France -- Ukraine, one of Canada's top target countries for foreign aid, hasn't done enough to battle endemic corruption, according to a report made public here Thursday.
"Ukraine has made little progress in tackling corruption over the past four years, despite regular pledges from the country's leaders to take action," said the Paris-based Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, an economic and social policy research agency funded by Canada and 33 other western democratic countries.
And the OECD analysis said foreign-aid programs directed at reducing the country's tainted system of government have largely failed.
"International partners have also confirmed that several large anti-corruption programs supported by donors and international organizations during several past years did not produce many practical results," said the report, which didn't identify those partners.
"Donors are therefore looking for the confirmation of political will of the Ukrainian leadership to fight corruption in order to consider any further support."
The OECD urged Ukraine to pass long-promised anti-corruption legislation, establish an anti-corruption investigative body, pass laws relating to integrity and conflict issues within the civil service and review a political party financing regime that currently lets politically powerful billionaire oligarchs fund -- and influence --- top politicians.
The criticism is directed both at the new regime headed by President Viktor Yanukovych, elected in early 2010, and former president and 2004 Orange Revolution hero Viktor Yushchenko, who addressed Parliament in 2008 at the invitation of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Yushchenko told a news conference after that address that corruption was a problem in his country, blaming it on the "heavy heritage" of Soviet rule before Ukraine achieved independence in 1991.
Ukraine's failings have made it tough for foreign investors to operate in the country of 45 million people.
"General lack of legal certainty is the fundamental challenge for doing business in Ukraine. One of the business representatives interviewed during the on-site visit stated that companies in Ukraine had to accept corruption, or they were out of business," according to the OECD.
In 2009, Canada made Ukraine the only European country among 20 nations or regions on a foreign-aid priority list. Canadian aid totalled $21.3 million in 2008-2009, making it the country's fourth-largest bilateral aid donor.
"Ukraine has made little progress in tackling corruption over the past four years, despite regular pledges from the country's leaders to take action," said the Paris-based Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, an economic and social policy research agency funded by Canada and 33 other western democratic countries.
And the OECD analysis said foreign-aid programs directed at reducing the country's tainted system of government have largely failed.
"International partners have also confirmed that several large anti-corruption programs supported by donors and international organizations during several past years did not produce many practical results," said the report, which didn't identify those partners.
"Donors are therefore looking for the confirmation of political will of the Ukrainian leadership to fight corruption in order to consider any further support."
The OECD urged Ukraine to pass long-promised anti-corruption legislation, establish an anti-corruption investigative body, pass laws relating to integrity and conflict issues within the civil service and review a political party financing regime that currently lets politically powerful billionaire oligarchs fund -- and influence --- top politicians.
The criticism is directed both at the new regime headed by President Viktor Yanukovych, elected in early 2010, and former president and 2004 Orange Revolution hero Viktor Yushchenko, who addressed Parliament in 2008 at the invitation of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Yushchenko told a news conference after that address that corruption was a problem in his country, blaming it on the "heavy heritage" of Soviet rule before Ukraine achieved independence in 1991.
Ukraine's failings have made it tough for foreign investors to operate in the country of 45 million people.
"General lack of legal certainty is the fundamental challenge for doing business in Ukraine. One of the business representatives interviewed during the on-site visit stated that companies in Ukraine had to accept corruption, or they were out of business," according to the OECD.
In 2009, Canada made Ukraine the only European country among 20 nations or regions on a foreign-aid priority list. Canadian aid totalled $21.3 million in 2008-2009, making it the country's fourth-largest bilateral aid donor.
Ukraine's Freedom Status Decline Represents Major Setback For Region's Democracy, Says Freedom House
WASHINGTON, DC -- Freedom House has downgraded Ukraine's status from "free" to "partly free" in its annual Freedom in the World report.
The events in Ukraine in 2010 caused it to fall from "free" to "partly free", Freedom House said in its annual survey of political rights and civil liberties, posted on the organization's Web site on Thursday.
"Viktor Yanukovych, whose fraudulent electoral victory in 2004 had been overturned by the Orange Revolution, won the presidency on his second attempt in early 2010. He then oversaw a deterioration in press freedom, state efforts to curb student activism, intimidation of NGOs, local elections that were almost universally derided as neither free nor fair, and indications of increased executive influence over the judiciary," the document reads.
According to the organization, Ukraine had previously been the only country in the non-Baltic former Soviet Union to earn a "free" designation, and its decline represents a major setback for democracy in the region.
Freedom House is an international non-governmental organization based in Washington, D.C. that conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom and human rights.
It publishes an annual report assessing the degree of perceived democratic freedoms in each country, which is used in political science research.
The events in Ukraine in 2010 caused it to fall from "free" to "partly free", Freedom House said in its annual survey of political rights and civil liberties, posted on the organization's Web site on Thursday.
"Viktor Yanukovych, whose fraudulent electoral victory in 2004 had been overturned by the Orange Revolution, won the presidency on his second attempt in early 2010. He then oversaw a deterioration in press freedom, state efforts to curb student activism, intimidation of NGOs, local elections that were almost universally derided as neither free nor fair, and indications of increased executive influence over the judiciary," the document reads.
According to the organization, Ukraine had previously been the only country in the non-Baltic former Soviet Union to earn a "free" designation, and its decline represents a major setback for democracy in the region.
Freedom House is an international non-governmental organization based in Washington, D.C. that conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom and human rights.
It publishes an annual report assessing the degree of perceived democratic freedoms in each country, which is used in political science research.
Tymoshenko: Ukraine’s Slip In Global Rankings Result Of New Government’s Incompetence
KIEV, Ukraine -- Ukraine’s decline in international rankings of democracy and economic freedoms is the result of the new government’s incompetence, Yulia Tymoshenko has said, according to the official web site of Yulia Tymoshenko.
"Today’s news is shocking for Ukraine. The Freedom House report and international assessment of the situation in Ukraine are tragic. The international community has excluded Ukraine from its list of free countries. This must be the subject of public discussions," Yulia Tymoshenko said today before going to the prosecutor’s office.
The former prime minister believes Ukraine’s rankings have dropped because of President Yanukovych’s failed policies. "This is a summary of the first year under the new president and new government and it means that all of us who wanted freedom, fairness, justice and rule of law can no longer expect this. The world has reached this conclusion, not the Ukrainian opposition," she emphasized.
She pointed to Ukraine’s dramatic drop on the freedom of speech index as another negative result of the new government’s ineffective policies.
"Ukraine dropped 42 positions [from 89th to 131st] on the freedom of speech index. It is now between Iraq and countries where freedom of speech isn’t even talked about – and I think this is very telling," she said.
Yulia Tymoshenko also believes that Ukraine’s decline in economic freedom will have a negative effect on foreign investment.
"What is the rating of economic freedom? It is a country’s attractiveness for investment. Ukraine fell 12 places in one year, and is in last position among European countries. What this means is that after seeing how Yanukovych works, investors worldwide have essentially removed Ukraine from their investment plans," she added.
"What all this says is that in a year Ukraine has been degraded so much that it has regressed 10 years and continues to do so. I am concerned by this and it is something we must pay attention to," Yulia Tymoshenko said.
"Today’s news is shocking for Ukraine. The Freedom House report and international assessment of the situation in Ukraine are tragic. The international community has excluded Ukraine from its list of free countries. This must be the subject of public discussions," Yulia Tymoshenko said today before going to the prosecutor’s office.
The former prime minister believes Ukraine’s rankings have dropped because of President Yanukovych’s failed policies. "This is a summary of the first year under the new president and new government and it means that all of us who wanted freedom, fairness, justice and rule of law can no longer expect this. The world has reached this conclusion, not the Ukrainian opposition," she emphasized.
She pointed to Ukraine’s dramatic drop on the freedom of speech index as another negative result of the new government’s ineffective policies.
"Ukraine dropped 42 positions [from 89th to 131st] on the freedom of speech index. It is now between Iraq and countries where freedom of speech isn’t even talked about – and I think this is very telling," she said.
Yulia Tymoshenko also believes that Ukraine’s decline in economic freedom will have a negative effect on foreign investment.
"What is the rating of economic freedom? It is a country’s attractiveness for investment. Ukraine fell 12 places in one year, and is in last position among European countries. What this means is that after seeing how Yanukovych works, investors worldwide have essentially removed Ukraine from their investment plans," she added.
"What all this says is that in a year Ukraine has been degraded so much that it has regressed 10 years and continues to do so. I am concerned by this and it is something we must pay attention to," Yulia Tymoshenko said.
Yulia Tymoshenko, Under Fire And Fired Up
KIEV, Ukraine -- One year ago, after Yulia Tymoshenko, the country’s photogenic former prime minister, lost a close presidential election, many asked if her political career was over.
Tymoshenko struggled to remain relevant in the post-election landscape, as new President Viktor Yanukovych, a pro-Russia politico from the country's east, quickly consolidated power and marginalized her.
Now Ukrainian officials have raised the stakes even higher, launching a criminal case against Tymoshenko and her allies. But instead of being beaten even further down, Tymoshenko has come alive.
And the international community has taken notice, fearing that this latest assault on the combative blond-braided opposition leader could be an attempt to stifle Ukrainian democracy itself.
According to Ukrainian officials, Tymoshenko's legal difficulties bear no connection to any political agenda: She’s simply been swept up in a wide-reaching anti-corruption drive, they say.
Tymoshenko is accused of misusing while she was prime minister some 380 million euros in funds that Ukraine obtained by selling its carbon emission credits — an arrangement established under the Kyoto environmental accords in which countries with lower emission levels can trade with countries who have higher ones.
According to the accords, the money is supposed to be used for environmental projects. Ukrainian officials say that Tymoshenko used it instead to fill gaps in pension payments just before the presidential elections.
Tymoshenko denies the charges and accuses the present government of a witch hunt against her and her allies. A slew of former officials and ministers who served under her have been charged or arrested, including two opposition leaders, Yevhen Korniychuk of the Social and Democratic Party and Yuriy Lutsenko of the People's Self-Defense Party.
Some but not all of the criminal cases are related to the alleged misuse of the carbon emission credits.
Lutsenko, a former interior minister, was seized by security agents as he was walking his dog near his Kiev apartment on Dec. 26. Among the accusations against him is that he conspired with his driver to embezzle some $45,000 in government funds. He is supposed to remain in jail for two months.
Tymoshenko, who has been barred from leaving Kiev, said: “Look, two leaders of opposition parties in parliament were arrested ahead of the New Year. Is it a coincidence? Lutsenko and Korniychuk [were arrested], and I, representing the third political party, am under house arrest. It's not a coincidence — it's fear and confusion by the authorities.”
United States officials said that they were concerned that the prosecutions might be directed against the opposition — though they stopped short of claiming that this was actually happening.
In a statement last week, the U.S. embassy said that, while it did not comment on specific cases, “with few exceptions, the only senior officials being targeted are connected with the previous government, it gives the appearance of selective prosecution of political opponents.”
The embassy also said that it warned the Ukrainian government that “while corruption should be pursued, prosecution should not be selective or politically motivated.”
Many Ukrainians view the government’s anti-corruption campaign with a healthy dose of cynicism. It is commonly accepted here that an overwhelming number of politicians rummage the public till for their own enrichment.
Tymoshenko’s government was widely perceived as being no different. But many ask, why single out her group?
The nature of the charges have also raised eyebrows. Paying off pensions — albeit with the wrong funds — is hardly a mortal sin.
If the Yanukovych government were truly interested in rooting out corruption, the reasoning goes, it would focus on the millions and perhaps billions that reportedly went directly to officials’ pockets in recent years (not to mention the insider deals that allegedly enriched the country’s oligarchs).
The end game, say some, is to eliminate Tymoshenko as leader of the opposition and main political threat to Yanukovych.
“By banning this politician who received 12 million votes in the presidential election from traveling abroad, the authorities have demonstrated their audacious intentions to permanently destroy the opposition and introduce authoritarian rule,” wrote a group of writers and intellectuals in an open letter to the government.
The strategy may be simply to bring pressure on the former prime minister, to hamstring her politically or prevent her from being a major force in parliamentary elections, currently scheduled for September 2012.
But this may backfire. A number of observers ask, “Will that which politically fails to kill her only make her stronger?”
Jailing or even opening a trial against the fiery Tymoshenko could provide her with a platform and turn her into a martyr. She was already jailed once, for just over a month in 2001, which helped cement her role as the blond populist siren of the 2004 Orange Revolution.
“The actions against Tymoshenko could re-animate her as a Ukrainian leader,” said Volodymyr Fesenko, director of the Penta Center for Applied Political Studies in Kiev. “In the presidential adminstration, they understand the danger of arresting her — but not everyone understands.”
Indeed, it might have been better to have just left her alone this time. Tymoshenko’s popularity ratings have been sinking steadily. According to the independent Razumkov Center in Kiev, only 10 percent of the population fully supports her, while more than 60 percent don't support her.
According to Vadim Karasev, director of the Institute of Global Strategies, a Kiev think tank, the more the government attacks Tymoshenko, the more she becomes the de facto nexus for anyone unhappy with the Yanukovych administration, whether they in fact like her or not.
“People begin to form the opinion that if the government really seems to be afraid of her, then maybe she’s an authentic alternative,” Karasev said.
And as the pressure on her increases, Tymoshenko's importance to Ukrainian democracy as a whole will grow, he added.
“While there's a Tymoshenko, her mere presence is a guarantee against Ukraine following a Belarus or Russian [authoritarian] scenario,” said Karasev.
Tymoshenko struggled to remain relevant in the post-election landscape, as new President Viktor Yanukovych, a pro-Russia politico from the country's east, quickly consolidated power and marginalized her.
Now Ukrainian officials have raised the stakes even higher, launching a criminal case against Tymoshenko and her allies. But instead of being beaten even further down, Tymoshenko has come alive.
And the international community has taken notice, fearing that this latest assault on the combative blond-braided opposition leader could be an attempt to stifle Ukrainian democracy itself.
According to Ukrainian officials, Tymoshenko's legal difficulties bear no connection to any political agenda: She’s simply been swept up in a wide-reaching anti-corruption drive, they say.
Tymoshenko is accused of misusing while she was prime minister some 380 million euros in funds that Ukraine obtained by selling its carbon emission credits — an arrangement established under the Kyoto environmental accords in which countries with lower emission levels can trade with countries who have higher ones.
According to the accords, the money is supposed to be used for environmental projects. Ukrainian officials say that Tymoshenko used it instead to fill gaps in pension payments just before the presidential elections.
Tymoshenko denies the charges and accuses the present government of a witch hunt against her and her allies. A slew of former officials and ministers who served under her have been charged or arrested, including two opposition leaders, Yevhen Korniychuk of the Social and Democratic Party and Yuriy Lutsenko of the People's Self-Defense Party.
Some but not all of the criminal cases are related to the alleged misuse of the carbon emission credits.
Lutsenko, a former interior minister, was seized by security agents as he was walking his dog near his Kiev apartment on Dec. 26. Among the accusations against him is that he conspired with his driver to embezzle some $45,000 in government funds. He is supposed to remain in jail for two months.
Tymoshenko, who has been barred from leaving Kiev, said: “Look, two leaders of opposition parties in parliament were arrested ahead of the New Year. Is it a coincidence? Lutsenko and Korniychuk [were arrested], and I, representing the third political party, am under house arrest. It's not a coincidence — it's fear and confusion by the authorities.”
United States officials said that they were concerned that the prosecutions might be directed against the opposition — though they stopped short of claiming that this was actually happening.
In a statement last week, the U.S. embassy said that, while it did not comment on specific cases, “with few exceptions, the only senior officials being targeted are connected with the previous government, it gives the appearance of selective prosecution of political opponents.”
The embassy also said that it warned the Ukrainian government that “while corruption should be pursued, prosecution should not be selective or politically motivated.”
Many Ukrainians view the government’s anti-corruption campaign with a healthy dose of cynicism. It is commonly accepted here that an overwhelming number of politicians rummage the public till for their own enrichment.
Tymoshenko’s government was widely perceived as being no different. But many ask, why single out her group?
The nature of the charges have also raised eyebrows. Paying off pensions — albeit with the wrong funds — is hardly a mortal sin.
If the Yanukovych government were truly interested in rooting out corruption, the reasoning goes, it would focus on the millions and perhaps billions that reportedly went directly to officials’ pockets in recent years (not to mention the insider deals that allegedly enriched the country’s oligarchs).
The end game, say some, is to eliminate Tymoshenko as leader of the opposition and main political threat to Yanukovych.
“By banning this politician who received 12 million votes in the presidential election from traveling abroad, the authorities have demonstrated their audacious intentions to permanently destroy the opposition and introduce authoritarian rule,” wrote a group of writers and intellectuals in an open letter to the government.
The strategy may be simply to bring pressure on the former prime minister, to hamstring her politically or prevent her from being a major force in parliamentary elections, currently scheduled for September 2012.
But this may backfire. A number of observers ask, “Will that which politically fails to kill her only make her stronger?”
Jailing or even opening a trial against the fiery Tymoshenko could provide her with a platform and turn her into a martyr. She was already jailed once, for just over a month in 2001, which helped cement her role as the blond populist siren of the 2004 Orange Revolution.
“The actions against Tymoshenko could re-animate her as a Ukrainian leader,” said Volodymyr Fesenko, director of the Penta Center for Applied Political Studies in Kiev. “In the presidential adminstration, they understand the danger of arresting her — but not everyone understands.”
Indeed, it might have been better to have just left her alone this time. Tymoshenko’s popularity ratings have been sinking steadily. According to the independent Razumkov Center in Kiev, only 10 percent of the population fully supports her, while more than 60 percent don't support her.
According to Vadim Karasev, director of the Institute of Global Strategies, a Kiev think tank, the more the government attacks Tymoshenko, the more she becomes the de facto nexus for anyone unhappy with the Yanukovych administration, whether they in fact like her or not.
“People begin to form the opinion that if the government really seems to be afraid of her, then maybe she’s an authentic alternative,” Karasev said.
And as the pressure on her increases, Tymoshenko's importance to Ukrainian democracy as a whole will grow, he added.
“While there's a Tymoshenko, her mere presence is a guarantee against Ukraine following a Belarus or Russian [authoritarian] scenario,” said Karasev.
Tuesday 11 January 2011
Ukraine Defence and Security: Report
LONDON, England -- Ukraine’s defence spending fell slightly in 2010, by 0.60% to US$3.229bn, or US$70.90 per head.
Defence expenditure therefore stood at 2.7% of GDP and 7.3% of government spending, both relatively high figures for the developed world, indicating how important defence is perceived to be in Ukraine.
Defence spending grew rapidly through the last decade, slowing considerably at the end of the decade as economic turmoil affected the country – indeed, in dollar terms, expenditure fell by 33.51% in 2009, though this figure is distorted by the effects of the hryvnia’s volatility.
In 2011, BMI expects defence expenditure to rise considerably as Ukraine’s economy returns to growth and new geopolitical concerns drive higher investment in the armed forces.
BMI forecasts that spending will grow by 18.30% in dollar terms to US$3.830bn, representing a rise of 11% at constant prices. Over the next decade, we expect defence spending to grow at relatively high rates, slowing towards the end of the forecast period.
In real terms, growth will remain above 10% until 2014, and above 5% until 2018. As spending on other areas is scaled back, and defence prioritised (a spending strategy that is the mirror image of many developed countries), we expect defence expenditure to rise as a proportion of government outlay, to 10.4% by 2019.
However, it will remain at 2.7% of GDP for the remainder of the forecast period as Ukraine’s economy grows. By 2019, BMI expects Ukraine’s defence spending to total US$11.343bn, or US$261.80 per capita.
Ukraine’s prospects of joining NATO in the near future are remote since the election of President Yanukovich in 2010. Indeed, in June 2010, parliament approved a law submitted by Yanukovich which effectively ended Ukraine’s NATO accession bid through affirming military ‘non-alignment’.
While NRCU reported in November that NATO was still ‘leaving the door open’ for the strategically important country, and Ukraine still actively participates in NATO missions, membership is no longer a policy goal for Kiev.
The country is increasingly looking to align itself with Moscow, and public support for NATO membership has plummeted. The rapprochement with Russia and coolness towards NATO membership do not necessarily mean that Ukraine is ‘turning its back on the West’.
Indeed, Russia and NATO moved closer in late 2010, just as Kiev was distancing itself, and EU accession is still a policy goal. But there seems little doubt that the days in which Ukraine was ploughing a course imperfectly towards EU and NATO membership and pushing away from Russia are over, at least temporarily.
Ukraine's long-term political trajectory is far from certain, with the coming years likely to prove crucial to the country's convergence prospects through 2019.
Weak institutions remain the greatest challenge to long-term stability, though we also highlight systemic tensions in bilateral relations with Russia and growing demographic issues as additional threats likely to confront future governments. Going forward, the worst case scenario for Ukraine would entail a continuation of the status quo.
Defence expenditure therefore stood at 2.7% of GDP and 7.3% of government spending, both relatively high figures for the developed world, indicating how important defence is perceived to be in Ukraine.
Defence spending grew rapidly through the last decade, slowing considerably at the end of the decade as economic turmoil affected the country – indeed, in dollar terms, expenditure fell by 33.51% in 2009, though this figure is distorted by the effects of the hryvnia’s volatility.
In 2011, BMI expects defence expenditure to rise considerably as Ukraine’s economy returns to growth and new geopolitical concerns drive higher investment in the armed forces.
BMI forecasts that spending will grow by 18.30% in dollar terms to US$3.830bn, representing a rise of 11% at constant prices. Over the next decade, we expect defence spending to grow at relatively high rates, slowing towards the end of the forecast period.
In real terms, growth will remain above 10% until 2014, and above 5% until 2018. As spending on other areas is scaled back, and defence prioritised (a spending strategy that is the mirror image of many developed countries), we expect defence expenditure to rise as a proportion of government outlay, to 10.4% by 2019.
However, it will remain at 2.7% of GDP for the remainder of the forecast period as Ukraine’s economy grows. By 2019, BMI expects Ukraine’s defence spending to total US$11.343bn, or US$261.80 per capita.
Ukraine’s prospects of joining NATO in the near future are remote since the election of President Yanukovich in 2010. Indeed, in June 2010, parliament approved a law submitted by Yanukovich which effectively ended Ukraine’s NATO accession bid through affirming military ‘non-alignment’.
While NRCU reported in November that NATO was still ‘leaving the door open’ for the strategically important country, and Ukraine still actively participates in NATO missions, membership is no longer a policy goal for Kiev.
The country is increasingly looking to align itself with Moscow, and public support for NATO membership has plummeted. The rapprochement with Russia and coolness towards NATO membership do not necessarily mean that Ukraine is ‘turning its back on the West’.
Indeed, Russia and NATO moved closer in late 2010, just as Kiev was distancing itself, and EU accession is still a policy goal. But there seems little doubt that the days in which Ukraine was ploughing a course imperfectly towards EU and NATO membership and pushing away from Russia are over, at least temporarily.
Ukraine's long-term political trajectory is far from certain, with the coming years likely to prove crucial to the country's convergence prospects through 2019.
Weak institutions remain the greatest challenge to long-term stability, though we also highlight systemic tensions in bilateral relations with Russia and growing demographic issues as additional threats likely to confront future governments. Going forward, the worst case scenario for Ukraine would entail a continuation of the status quo.
Ukraine Selects Ostrov To Value Phone Company Ukrtelecom
KIEV, Ukraine -- Ukraine’s state property fund picked ZAT Consulting Co. Ostrov to value national phone provider VAT Ukrtelecom, which the government wants to sell as soon as next month.
Ostrov, based in Kiev, was chosen from three bidders on Jan. 6, Nina Yavorska, the fund’s spokeswoman, said in a phone interview.
The consulting company has a month in which to carry out the valuation, she said.
Ukraine’s government, which owns almost 93 percent of Ukrtelecom, initially planned to sell the phone company in a Dec. 28 auction with the minimum price set at 10.5 billion hryvnia ($1.3 billion).
The auction was postponed after attracting only one bidder, Austria-based Epic Financial Consulting Gesellschaft’s Ukraine subsidiary.
The price cannot be lower than 10.5 billion hryvnia, Oleksandr Ryabchenko, who heads the property fund, told reporters on Dec. 21.
Ostrov was set up in 1992 and has valued more than 200 companies, including energy distributors such as VAT Luhanskoblenergo, according to its website.
Ostrov offered the best timing and price for valuing Ukrtelecom, Yavorska said.
Ukraine has put off the sale for more than a decade because of disputes between state agencies.
The government wants to raise 10 billion hryvnia from sales of state assets this year, according to the budget.
Ostrov, based in Kiev, was chosen from three bidders on Jan. 6, Nina Yavorska, the fund’s spokeswoman, said in a phone interview.
The consulting company has a month in which to carry out the valuation, she said.
Ukraine’s government, which owns almost 93 percent of Ukrtelecom, initially planned to sell the phone company in a Dec. 28 auction with the minimum price set at 10.5 billion hryvnia ($1.3 billion).
The auction was postponed after attracting only one bidder, Austria-based Epic Financial Consulting Gesellschaft’s Ukraine subsidiary.
The price cannot be lower than 10.5 billion hryvnia, Oleksandr Ryabchenko, who heads the property fund, told reporters on Dec. 21.
Ostrov was set up in 1992 and has valued more than 200 companies, including energy distributors such as VAT Luhanskoblenergo, according to its website.
Ostrov offered the best timing and price for valuing Ukrtelecom, Yavorska said.
Ukraine has put off the sale for more than a decade because of disputes between state agencies.
The government wants to raise 10 billion hryvnia from sales of state assets this year, according to the budget.
Serbia Says Talks With Ukraine On WTO Entry Are The Toughest
BELGRADE, Serbia -- Serbia will try to win Ukraine’s consent early this year for membership in the World Trade Organization, deputy Prime Minister Mladjan Dinkic said.
Belgrade, which applied for WTO membership in 2005, expects to complete bilateral talks with five more countries, including Ukraine, and join the trade group by the end of 2011.
Membership would mark another step on its path to becoming a European Union member, Dinkic said in an e-mailed statement today from Brussels.
Dinkic and European Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht signed a bilateral agreement on behalf of the Balkan nation and the EU earlier in the day, agreeing on tariffs for trade in goods and the opening of each other’s services markets.
The EU accounts for 60 percent of Serbia’s foreign trade.
Dinkic said Ukraine is not an easy negotiating partner and Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic will visit the country in the coming months.
“Talks with Ukraine have not been smooth for any country, so Ukraine will remain the last country that we need to see how to reach the agreement.”
Serbia is negotiating an agreement with the U.S. and Dinkic said he expects “we will be able to reach agreement by the middle of the year.”
The government is still negotiating with Brazil, Switzerland and El Salvador, and expects to sign an agreement with Canada by the end of this month, according to the statement.
Belgrade, which applied for WTO membership in 2005, expects to complete bilateral talks with five more countries, including Ukraine, and join the trade group by the end of 2011.
Membership would mark another step on its path to becoming a European Union member, Dinkic said in an e-mailed statement today from Brussels.
Dinkic and European Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht signed a bilateral agreement on behalf of the Balkan nation and the EU earlier in the day, agreeing on tariffs for trade in goods and the opening of each other’s services markets.
The EU accounts for 60 percent of Serbia’s foreign trade.
Dinkic said Ukraine is not an easy negotiating partner and Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic will visit the country in the coming months.
“Talks with Ukraine have not been smooth for any country, so Ukraine will remain the last country that we need to see how to reach the agreement.”
Serbia is negotiating an agreement with the U.S. and Dinkic said he expects “we will be able to reach agreement by the middle of the year.”
The government is still negotiating with Brazil, Switzerland and El Salvador, and expects to sign an agreement with Canada by the end of this month, according to the statement.
EU Warns Ukraine Over Democratic ‘Values’
KIEV, Ukraine -- Stefan Fuele, the European Union’s enlargement commissioner, warned Ukraine’s leadership on Tuesday that closer integration with Brussels hangs on adherence to core EU principles of democracy and media freedoms.
Wrapping up a two-day visit to Kiev that included meetings with Viktor Yanukovich the president, journalists and human rights activists, Mr Fuele said Brussels shares concerns expressed by the US that Ukraine’s political opposition was being persecuted while media freedoms were being curtailed.
Mr Fuele said the EU hoped to wrap up the signing of association membership and free trade agreements with Ukraine this year, adding that Brussels sought closer relations and could be flexible in negotiations on these issues. But he stressed that Brussels could not compromise on core EU “values” such as democracy.
Mr Fuele was asked during a press conference in Kiev if the EU shared concerns about political persecution that was expressed late in December in a statement issued by the US. He said: “I certainly share the impression” and concerns that were raised by the US and “raised this issue in discussions, including with Ukraine’s president.”
Mr Fuele added: “I do not want to speculate at this time on repercussions” that could follow should Ukraine stray away from democracy.
Mr Fuele’s comments came two weeks after the US issued a sharp warning to Ukraine’s leadership, expressing concerns that a flurry of arrests and probes “selectively” targeting opposition politicians appeared to be “politically motivated.”
The December 30 US statement followed arrests that appear to target exclusively allies of Yulia Tymoshenko, the opposition leader. Ukrainian prosecutors formally charged Ms Tymoshenko late last year with misspending $300m in state funds while serving as premier in 2009.
Ms Tymoshenko, who lost last year’s presidential election to Mr Yanukovich, denies wrongdoing and insists that the charges against her are intended to divert attention from corrupt dealings of Ukraine’s current leadership. Two Ukrainian human rights organisations came to her defence late last year, urging Mr Yanukovich to end political persecution.
Opposition leaders accuse Mr Yanukovich of monopolising power, persecuting foes and reneging on democratic and media freedom gains made since the 2004 Orange Revolution. Opponents also accuse the Moscow-friendly Ukrainian president of bringing Kiev back into Russia’s fold.
But Mr Yanukovich has repeatedly denied such allegations. His administration describes the investigations as legitimate attempts to combat corruption. Mr Yanukovich also claims to be working hard to revive relations with Russia while keeping Kiev on a path towards EU membership and reforming Ukraine’s fragile economy.
Insiders said journalists gave Mr Fuele evidence that the media have been muzzled under Mr Yanukovich and that allegations of corruption involving presidential allies are not being investigated.
Referring to such allegations, Mr Fuele said: “In the 21st century, democratic government cannot exist without an independent judicial system and media. This is a question of moral leadership.”
While meeting members of the foreign investment community in Ukraine, Mr Fuele also heard complaints about rampant corruption and bureaucracy. During a press conference, he urged Ukraine to improve its investment climate.
Wrapping up a two-day visit to Kiev that included meetings with Viktor Yanukovich the president, journalists and human rights activists, Mr Fuele said Brussels shares concerns expressed by the US that Ukraine’s political opposition was being persecuted while media freedoms were being curtailed.
Mr Fuele said the EU hoped to wrap up the signing of association membership and free trade agreements with Ukraine this year, adding that Brussels sought closer relations and could be flexible in negotiations on these issues. But he stressed that Brussels could not compromise on core EU “values” such as democracy.
Mr Fuele was asked during a press conference in Kiev if the EU shared concerns about political persecution that was expressed late in December in a statement issued by the US. He said: “I certainly share the impression” and concerns that were raised by the US and “raised this issue in discussions, including with Ukraine’s president.”
Mr Fuele added: “I do not want to speculate at this time on repercussions” that could follow should Ukraine stray away from democracy.
Mr Fuele’s comments came two weeks after the US issued a sharp warning to Ukraine’s leadership, expressing concerns that a flurry of arrests and probes “selectively” targeting opposition politicians appeared to be “politically motivated.”
The December 30 US statement followed arrests that appear to target exclusively allies of Yulia Tymoshenko, the opposition leader. Ukrainian prosecutors formally charged Ms Tymoshenko late last year with misspending $300m in state funds while serving as premier in 2009.
Ms Tymoshenko, who lost last year’s presidential election to Mr Yanukovich, denies wrongdoing and insists that the charges against her are intended to divert attention from corrupt dealings of Ukraine’s current leadership. Two Ukrainian human rights organisations came to her defence late last year, urging Mr Yanukovich to end political persecution.
Opposition leaders accuse Mr Yanukovich of monopolising power, persecuting foes and reneging on democratic and media freedom gains made since the 2004 Orange Revolution. Opponents also accuse the Moscow-friendly Ukrainian president of bringing Kiev back into Russia’s fold.
But Mr Yanukovich has repeatedly denied such allegations. His administration describes the investigations as legitimate attempts to combat corruption. Mr Yanukovich also claims to be working hard to revive relations with Russia while keeping Kiev on a path towards EU membership and reforming Ukraine’s fragile economy.
Insiders said journalists gave Mr Fuele evidence that the media have been muzzled under Mr Yanukovich and that allegations of corruption involving presidential allies are not being investigated.
Referring to such allegations, Mr Fuele said: “In the 21st century, democratic government cannot exist without an independent judicial system and media. This is a question of moral leadership.”
While meeting members of the foreign investment community in Ukraine, Mr Fuele also heard complaints about rampant corruption and bureaucracy. During a press conference, he urged Ukraine to improve its investment climate.
Tuesday 4 January 2011
Obama Praises Ukraine For Removing Nuke Materials
WASHINGTON, DC -- President Obama lauded Ukraine for moving a big part of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to Russia for disposal, part of a deal with the United States to reduce the threat of nuclear terrorism.
Obama's statement:
"I congratulate President (Viktor) Yanukovych on the recent shipment of highly enriched uranium from Ukraine for secure disposal in Russia, which advances a top priority for my administration and for global security.
This action brings us all one step closer to securing all vulnerable nuclear materials, as President Yanukovych and I and 45 other world leaders pledged to do this April at the Nuclear Security Summit.
The low enriched uranium and nuclear safety equipment provided to Ukraine in connection with this shipment will support Ukraine's development of safe and secure nuclear energy.
These actions represent continued Ukrainian leadership in making sure that nuclear weapons never fall into the hands of a terrorist, and working toward a world without nuclear weapons."
Obama's statement:
"I congratulate President (Viktor) Yanukovych on the recent shipment of highly enriched uranium from Ukraine for secure disposal in Russia, which advances a top priority for my administration and for global security.
This action brings us all one step closer to securing all vulnerable nuclear materials, as President Yanukovych and I and 45 other world leaders pledged to do this April at the Nuclear Security Summit.
The low enriched uranium and nuclear safety equipment provided to Ukraine in connection with this shipment will support Ukraine's development of safe and secure nuclear energy.
These actions represent continued Ukrainian leadership in making sure that nuclear weapons never fall into the hands of a terrorist, and working toward a world without nuclear weapons."
New Highways Coming In Ukrai
KIEV, Ukraine -- Since the economic crisis struck, large investments in transport infrastructure have been sidetracked by the world's economies. Now that the skies begin to clear, some countries begin raising their heads from the dust and announce major development programs.
Ukraine Minister of Infrastructure Borys Kolesnikov announced that his country would begin a major overhaul of its road network, adorned with the build of high-speed motorways.
The most important of them all will be the trans-Ukrainian 1400 kilometers long primary road from Krakovets to Uspenka, which will become at one point part of a larger road which will link Berlin to Rostov.
The project, which also calls for the creation of a Trans-Dnieper highway, is an important tool in insuring the success of the European football championship which will take place in the country in 2012.
The new roads will also get a high usage rate because of the football World Cup 2018 in Russia and the Olympics in Sochi.
The major endeavor will be funded mostly from the country's budget, with all the work expected to be completed in five to seven years.
Some money will also come from the implementation of the highway tax into the price of the fuel, a system similar to the one in use in Germany, the Scandinavian countries and Switzerland. The paid roads system used in Italy, France and Spain has been deemed useless in Ukraine.
"Provided the tax on fuel, there will appear real high-speed motorways in Ukraine," the minister said in a statement. "There is no market for paid roads in Ukraine."
Ukraine Minister of Infrastructure Borys Kolesnikov announced that his country would begin a major overhaul of its road network, adorned with the build of high-speed motorways.
The most important of them all will be the trans-Ukrainian 1400 kilometers long primary road from Krakovets to Uspenka, which will become at one point part of a larger road which will link Berlin to Rostov.
The project, which also calls for the creation of a Trans-Dnieper highway, is an important tool in insuring the success of the European football championship which will take place in the country in 2012.
The new roads will also get a high usage rate because of the football World Cup 2018 in Russia and the Olympics in Sochi.
The major endeavor will be funded mostly from the country's budget, with all the work expected to be completed in five to seven years.
Some money will also come from the implementation of the highway tax into the price of the fuel, a system similar to the one in use in Germany, the Scandinavian countries and Switzerland. The paid roads system used in Italy, France and Spain has been deemed useless in Ukraine.
"Provided the tax on fuel, there will appear real high-speed motorways in Ukraine," the minister said in a statement. "There is no market for paid roads in Ukraine."
Ukraine And Belarus Fulfill Energy Deals: Putin
MOSCOW, Russia -- Reuters reported that Vladimir Putin, Russian Prime Minister, recently downplayed the prospects for a New Year energy dispute with neighboring states, saying Ukraine and Belarus are fulfilling existing contracts.
Putin said "For now, we have agreements with all our partners. The current contracts are signed and are being fulfilled."
Putin also said he still supports a previously mooted merger between Russia's Gazprom and state-owned Ukrainian gas company Naftogaz.
He said that I do not think this proposal is worthless. Naftogaz will become a minority shareholder but it will become a minority shareholder of a large global company and as such will have its own voice."
Ukraine rejected the proposal earlier this year.
Putin said "For now, we have agreements with all our partners. The current contracts are signed and are being fulfilled."
Putin also said he still supports a previously mooted merger between Russia's Gazprom and state-owned Ukrainian gas company Naftogaz.
He said that I do not think this proposal is worthless. Naftogaz will become a minority shareholder but it will become a minority shareholder of a large global company and as such will have its own voice."
Ukraine rejected the proposal earlier this year.
MEP: Yanukovych Has A Chance To Bring Ukraine Into EU, But He Needs Support From Opposition
BRUSSELS, Belgium -- The attendees at the recent Ukraine-EU summit managed to avoid a diplomatic disaster, while Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych gained a second chance in relations with the European Union, the head of the delegation of the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, MEP Pawel Kowal, has said.
"I think that if Ukraine had not got the action plan [on the liberalization of the visa regime with the EU] at the summit, it would have been a disaster. I think that the question - to give or not to give – was seriously raised, but a diplomatic disaster was avoided," he said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.
Kowal said that in this way Brussels "gave a signal to Yanukovych as a politician working in a democratic system."
"He's got a plan, and he has a chance to initial the association agreement this year. I think that there are very good prospects to say in Ukraine that there is the foundation for reform. Now everything is in his hands. The current situation is a second chance for Yanukovych as a European-style politician," the MEP said.
In this connection, Kowal said that the Ukrainian president had a chance to "bring Ukraine into the EU."
"But, in general, he and the authorities in Ukraine lack one thing - understanding that support from the opposition is required for this and that with its representatives it's definitely necessary to build a serious dialog," he said.
"It is very important that the president's entourage understand this – there should be a dialog. But when we were in Ukraine, we saw that there was no dialog, and this is the biggest problem," he said.
As reported, the 14th EU-Ukraine summit was in Brussels, Belgium, on November 22, 2010. Ukraine received an action plan for the introduction of a visa-free regime of short stay travel to the EU.
"I think that if Ukraine had not got the action plan [on the liberalization of the visa regime with the EU] at the summit, it would have been a disaster. I think that the question - to give or not to give – was seriously raised, but a diplomatic disaster was avoided," he said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.
Kowal said that in this way Brussels "gave a signal to Yanukovych as a politician working in a democratic system."
"He's got a plan, and he has a chance to initial the association agreement this year. I think that there are very good prospects to say in Ukraine that there is the foundation for reform. Now everything is in his hands. The current situation is a second chance for Yanukovych as a European-style politician," the MEP said.
In this connection, Kowal said that the Ukrainian president had a chance to "bring Ukraine into the EU."
"But, in general, he and the authorities in Ukraine lack one thing - understanding that support from the opposition is required for this and that with its representatives it's definitely necessary to build a serious dialog," he said.
"It is very important that the president's entourage understand this – there should be a dialog. But when we were in Ukraine, we saw that there was no dialog, and this is the biggest problem," he said.
As reported, the 14th EU-Ukraine summit was in Brussels, Belgium, on November 22, 2010. Ukraine received an action plan for the introduction of a visa-free regime of short stay travel to the EU.
Saturday 1 January 2011
U.S. Concerned Over Ukraine’s Prosecution Of Former Officials
KIEV, Ukraine -- The U.S. said it’s concerned that the recent prosecution of former government officials in Ukraine is “politically motivated.”
Ukraine’s Prosecutor General has opened criminal cases against six members of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko’s Cabinet, including her.
Tymoshenko lost a presidential election to Viktor Yanukovych in February and the probe is “terror against the opposition,” she said in a statement on her website on Dec. 15.
“While corruption should be pursued, prosecution should not be selective or politically motivated,” the U.S. Embassy in Kiev said in an e-mailed statement today.
The pursuit of officials “connected with the previous government” by authorities “gives the appearance of selective prosecution of political opponents.”
Tymoshenko was handed a no-flee warrant earlier this month after a criminal probe was started against her.
She’s accused of misusing funds from the 2009 sale of emissions permits to Japan. She has denied the allegations.
Ukraine’s Prosecutor General has opened criminal cases against six members of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko’s Cabinet, including her.
Tymoshenko lost a presidential election to Viktor Yanukovych in February and the probe is “terror against the opposition,” she said in a statement on her website on Dec. 15.
“While corruption should be pursued, prosecution should not be selective or politically motivated,” the U.S. Embassy in Kiev said in an e-mailed statement today.
The pursuit of officials “connected with the previous government” by authorities “gives the appearance of selective prosecution of political opponents.”
Tymoshenko was handed a no-flee warrant earlier this month after a criminal probe was started against her.
She’s accused of misusing funds from the 2009 sale of emissions permits to Japan. She has denied the allegations.
Medvedev, Putin Planning To Strengthen Relations With Kiev Next Year
KIEV, Ukraine -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin have congratulated Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on the upcoming holidays, the press service of the Russian Embassy in Ukraine has reported.
"Dear Viktor Fedorovych [Yanukovych], please accept my congratulations on the occasion of the New Year and Christmas holidays! The outgoing year was a period of a real strengthening of Russian-Ukrainian relations," Medvedev said in his letter of congratulation.
He said that this could be confirmed by an unprecedented and productive political dialog, high growth in trade and economic cooperation, as well as the promotion of joint large-scale integration projects.
Medvedev said that a serious positive impetus had been given to interregional relations and contacts in the humanitarian sphere and that the effective coordination of the two countries' approaches to urgent regional and international issues was increasing.
"Important interstate and intergovernmental agreements signed in 2010 open up new opportunities for building effective cooperation in all areas. I think that this is our common priority. A special role in its implementation belongs to the Russian-Ukrainian interstate commission, which has already started to work in full force. At commission meetings held in Kyiv and Moscow, we outlined a strategic course for the development of our relations," he said.
Medvedev expressed confidence that in 2011 the sides would jointly produce tangible results in the implementation of their plans – "for the benefit of our brotherly peoples, united by centuries-old traditions of friendship and spiritual values."
Putin, in turn, said in his congratulatory message: "I note with satisfaction that together we managed to bring relations between Russia and Ukraine to a qualitatively new level, to restore mutual trust and partnership and to make real progress in all areas."
He said he was confident that in the coming year, Ukraine and Russia would increase the dynamics of Russian-Ukrainian cooperation, creating favorable conditions for the launch of new joint projects in energy, industry, aerospace and shipbuilding, transportation and high technology.
"This certainly corresponds to the fundamental interests of the peoples of our countries, stability and security on the European continent," Putin said.
Putin also congratulated his Ukrainian counterpart Mykola Azarov on the upcoming holidays.
"Dear Viktor Fedorovych [Yanukovych], please accept my congratulations on the occasion of the New Year and Christmas holidays! The outgoing year was a period of a real strengthening of Russian-Ukrainian relations," Medvedev said in his letter of congratulation.
He said that this could be confirmed by an unprecedented and productive political dialog, high growth in trade and economic cooperation, as well as the promotion of joint large-scale integration projects.
Medvedev said that a serious positive impetus had been given to interregional relations and contacts in the humanitarian sphere and that the effective coordination of the two countries' approaches to urgent regional and international issues was increasing.
"Important interstate and intergovernmental agreements signed in 2010 open up new opportunities for building effective cooperation in all areas. I think that this is our common priority. A special role in its implementation belongs to the Russian-Ukrainian interstate commission, which has already started to work in full force. At commission meetings held in Kyiv and Moscow, we outlined a strategic course for the development of our relations," he said.
Medvedev expressed confidence that in 2011 the sides would jointly produce tangible results in the implementation of their plans – "for the benefit of our brotherly peoples, united by centuries-old traditions of friendship and spiritual values."
Putin, in turn, said in his congratulatory message: "I note with satisfaction that together we managed to bring relations between Russia and Ukraine to a qualitatively new level, to restore mutual trust and partnership and to make real progress in all areas."
He said he was confident that in the coming year, Ukraine and Russia would increase the dynamics of Russian-Ukrainian cooperation, creating favorable conditions for the launch of new joint projects in energy, industry, aerospace and shipbuilding, transportation and high technology.
"This certainly corresponds to the fundamental interests of the peoples of our countries, stability and security on the European continent," Putin said.
Putin also congratulated his Ukrainian counterpart Mykola Azarov on the upcoming holidays.
Ukraine's Tymoshenko Formally Charged After 11-Hour Interrogation
KIEV, Ukraine -- Ukraine's former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko was formally charged with abuse of office on Thursday at the end of an 11-hour police interrogation.
She stands accused of misappropriating government money.
A team of prosecutors in Kiev interrogated Tymoshenko, Ukraine's leading opposition politician, from shortly after midday (1000 GMT) to midnight (2200 GMT).
Police refused her written request to end the questioning at the nine-hour mark. It was her sixth day of interrogation at the prosecutor general's office.
Officials in Ukraine's pro-Russia government since mid-November had alleged Tymoshenko violated the law by transferring as much as 400 million dollars in carbon credit payments to cover a national pension fund gap in 2009.
Prosecutors had repeatedly alleged Tymoshenko, at the time engaged in a fierce and ultimately unsuccessful election campaign, shifted the funds to increase her popularity.
She has denied all wrongdoing, and accused the government of pursuing a political vendetta against here.
'I believe this case is to prevent me from running in future elections,' she said, according to an Interfax news agency report.
A leading figure in Ukraine's 2004 pro-democracy Orange Revolution, Tymoshenko served as prime minister from 2004 to 2009.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych defeated her in a 2009 election. He has said his government is dedicated to eliminating corruption in high office.
She stands accused of misappropriating government money.
A team of prosecutors in Kiev interrogated Tymoshenko, Ukraine's leading opposition politician, from shortly after midday (1000 GMT) to midnight (2200 GMT).
Police refused her written request to end the questioning at the nine-hour mark. It was her sixth day of interrogation at the prosecutor general's office.
Officials in Ukraine's pro-Russia government since mid-November had alleged Tymoshenko violated the law by transferring as much as 400 million dollars in carbon credit payments to cover a national pension fund gap in 2009.
Prosecutors had repeatedly alleged Tymoshenko, at the time engaged in a fierce and ultimately unsuccessful election campaign, shifted the funds to increase her popularity.
She has denied all wrongdoing, and accused the government of pursuing a political vendetta against here.
'I believe this case is to prevent me from running in future elections,' she said, according to an Interfax news agency report.
A leading figure in Ukraine's 2004 pro-democracy Orange Revolution, Tymoshenko served as prime minister from 2004 to 2009.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych defeated her in a 2009 election. He has said his government is dedicated to eliminating corruption in high office.
U.S. Helps Ukraine Send Two Atomic Bombs' Worth Of Uranium To Russia
WASHINGTON, DC -- The United States has helped Ukraine send two atomic bombs' worth of weapons grade uranium to Russia during a secret operation over the holidays, the Obama administration confirmed Thursday on msnbc's The Rachel Maddow Show.
The removal of more than 111 pounds of highly enriched uranium followed a pledge by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to get rid of all of his country's highly enriched uranium by April 2012.
"Ukraine, they recognize they're part of the international community, they recognize how dangerous this material is," Thomas D’Agostino, head of the National Nuclear Security Administration, told Maddow.
The material will be blended down in Russia, rendering it useless for bomb making, the Associated Press said.
Yanukovych agreed to give up the uranium in a multinational deal announced at a nuclear security summit hosted by President Barack Obama in April. Shipments like the one recently completed from Serbia result in permanent threat reduction because they eliminate weapons-usable nuclear material at civilian sites.
Securing the material will prevent it from falling into the wrong hands, officials say.
As an incentive, the United States is providing replacement low-enriched uranium that can be used for Ukraine's research reactors.
The summit deal also has the United States building a $25 million "neutron source facility" nuclear research project for Ukraine, the administration said. The facility will be able to produce 50 different types of medical isotopes, using only low-enriched uranium.
"The fewer places this stuff is at the better off the world is," D'Agostino told Maddow. "This is a global problem."
"It doesn't require a lot of technology or knowhow to make a nuclear bomb," he said. "Unfortunately the word is out there."
The "vulnerable nuclear material" was in 35 nations, D'Agostino said.
"We're done with 19 countries and have 16 more to go," D'Agostino told Maddow, noting the U.S. and other countries were on track to complete removal by the end of the four-year deadline established by the nations.
All the movement has to be done in secret and coordinated with other nations, he said.
Four nations were involved in the Ukraine operation, he said.
"Pulling this off is a huge challenge," he said.
The removal operation completed Thursday involved 21 specially designed casks for the uranium to be flown on five flights from three cities, officials told The Associated Press.
The operation was delayed for days by ice storms in Ukraine. The U.S. also helped deliver some of the replacement fuel to Ukraine.
"This may have been the most complicated operation NNSA has done in recent years," said Andrew Bieniawski, the U.S. agency's associate deputy administrator for global threat reduction.
The uranium came from three research facilities, in Kiev, Sevastopol and Kharkiv. The U.S. also helped Ukraine remove a slightly larger amount of spent uranium by rail in May. An additional amount of uranium remains in Ukraine, but the U.S. said the material was on track to be removed by the April 2012 deadline.
On Dec. 22, 28 pounds of Russian-origin highly enriched uranium spent fuel was removed from the Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences in Serbia, making that nation the sixth country to eliminate all of its stockpiles of the material since April 2009, the nuclear security agency said after an operation there.
The agency has removed or assisted with the disposition of enough material to make more than 122 nuclear weapons, it said.
About 3.5 million pounds of highly enriched uranium and half a million pounds of bomb-grade plutonium remain in the world, according to Harvard University's Belfer Center.
That material could be used to build as many as 200,000 nuclear weapons, or about 8 1/2 times the world's current stockpile of 23,360 warheads.
The removal of more than 111 pounds of highly enriched uranium followed a pledge by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to get rid of all of his country's highly enriched uranium by April 2012.
"Ukraine, they recognize they're part of the international community, they recognize how dangerous this material is," Thomas D’Agostino, head of the National Nuclear Security Administration, told Maddow.
The material will be blended down in Russia, rendering it useless for bomb making, the Associated Press said.
Yanukovych agreed to give up the uranium in a multinational deal announced at a nuclear security summit hosted by President Barack Obama in April. Shipments like the one recently completed from Serbia result in permanent threat reduction because they eliminate weapons-usable nuclear material at civilian sites.
Securing the material will prevent it from falling into the wrong hands, officials say.
As an incentive, the United States is providing replacement low-enriched uranium that can be used for Ukraine's research reactors.
The summit deal also has the United States building a $25 million "neutron source facility" nuclear research project for Ukraine, the administration said. The facility will be able to produce 50 different types of medical isotopes, using only low-enriched uranium.
"The fewer places this stuff is at the better off the world is," D'Agostino told Maddow. "This is a global problem."
"It doesn't require a lot of technology or knowhow to make a nuclear bomb," he said. "Unfortunately the word is out there."
The "vulnerable nuclear material" was in 35 nations, D'Agostino said.
"We're done with 19 countries and have 16 more to go," D'Agostino told Maddow, noting the U.S. and other countries were on track to complete removal by the end of the four-year deadline established by the nations.
All the movement has to be done in secret and coordinated with other nations, he said.
Four nations were involved in the Ukraine operation, he said.
"Pulling this off is a huge challenge," he said.
The removal operation completed Thursday involved 21 specially designed casks for the uranium to be flown on five flights from three cities, officials told The Associated Press.
The operation was delayed for days by ice storms in Ukraine. The U.S. also helped deliver some of the replacement fuel to Ukraine.
"This may have been the most complicated operation NNSA has done in recent years," said Andrew Bieniawski, the U.S. agency's associate deputy administrator for global threat reduction.
The uranium came from three research facilities, in Kiev, Sevastopol and Kharkiv. The U.S. also helped Ukraine remove a slightly larger amount of spent uranium by rail in May. An additional amount of uranium remains in Ukraine, but the U.S. said the material was on track to be removed by the April 2012 deadline.
On Dec. 22, 28 pounds of Russian-origin highly enriched uranium spent fuel was removed from the Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences in Serbia, making that nation the sixth country to eliminate all of its stockpiles of the material since April 2009, the nuclear security agency said after an operation there.
The agency has removed or assisted with the disposition of enough material to make more than 122 nuclear weapons, it said.
About 3.5 million pounds of highly enriched uranium and half a million pounds of bomb-grade plutonium remain in the world, according to Harvard University's Belfer Center.
That material could be used to build as many as 200,000 nuclear weapons, or about 8 1/2 times the world's current stockpile of 23,360 warheads.
U.S. Helps Ukraine Send Two Atomic Bombs' Worth Of Uranium To Russia
WASHINGTON, DC -- The United States has helped Ukraine send two atomic bombs' worth of weapons grade uranium to Russia during a secret operation over the holidays, the Obama administration confirmed Thursday on msnbc's The Rachel Maddow Show.
The removal of more than 111 pounds of highly enriched uranium followed a pledge by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to get rid of all of his country's highly enriched uranium by April 2012.
"Ukraine, they recognize they're part of the international community, they recognize how dangerous this material is," Thomas D’Agostino, head of the National Nuclear Security Administration, told Maddow.
The material will be blended down in Russia, rendering it useless for bomb making, the Associated Press said.
Yanukovych agreed to give up the uranium in a multinational deal announced at a nuclear security summit hosted by President Barack Obama in April. Shipments like the one recently completed from Serbia result in permanent threat reduction because they eliminate weapons-usable nuclear material at civilian sites.
Securing the material will prevent it from falling into the wrong hands, officials say.
As an incentive, the United States is providing replacement low-enriched uranium that can be used for Ukraine's research reactors.
The summit deal also has the United States building a $25 million "neutron source facility" nuclear research project for Ukraine, the administration said. The facility will be able to produce 50 different types of medical isotopes, using only low-enriched uranium.
"The fewer places this stuff is at the better off the world is," D'Agostino told Maddow. "This is a global problem."
"It doesn't require a lot of technology or knowhow to make a nuclear bomb," he said. "Unfortunately the word is out there."
The "vulnerable nuclear material" was in 35 nations, D'Agostino said.
"We're done with 19 countries and have 16 more to go," D'Agostino told Maddow, noting the U.S. and other countries were on track to complete removal by the end of the four-year deadline established by the nations.
All the movement has to be done in secret and coordinated with other nations, he said.
Four nations were involved in the Ukraine operation, he said.
"Pulling this off is a huge challenge," he said.
The removal operation completed Thursday involved 21 specially designed casks for the uranium to be flown on five flights from three cities, officials told The Associated Press.
The operation was delayed for days by ice storms in Ukraine. The U.S. also helped deliver some of the replacement fuel to Ukraine.
"This may have been the most complicated operation NNSA has done in recent years," said Andrew Bieniawski, the U.S. agency's associate deputy administrator for global threat reduction.
The uranium came from three research facilities, in Kiev, Sevastopol and Kharkiv. The U.S. also helped Ukraine remove a slightly larger amount of spent uranium by rail in May. An additional amount of uranium remains in Ukraine, but the U.S. said the material was on track to be removed by the April 2012 deadline.
On Dec. 22, 28 pounds of Russian-origin highly enriched uranium spent fuel was removed from the Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences in Serbia, making that nation the sixth country to eliminate all of its stockpiles of the material since April 2009, the nuclear security agency said after an operation there.
The agency has removed or assisted with the disposition of enough material to make more than 122 nuclear weapons, it said.
About 3.5 million pounds of highly enriched uranium and half a million pounds of bomb-grade plutonium remain in the world, according to Harvard University's Belfer Center.
That material could be used to build as many as 200,000 nuclear weapons, or about 8 1/2 times the world's current stockpile of 23,360 warheads.
The removal of more than 111 pounds of highly enriched uranium followed a pledge by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to get rid of all of his country's highly enriched uranium by April 2012.
"Ukraine, they recognize they're part of the international community, they recognize how dangerous this material is," Thomas D’Agostino, head of the National Nuclear Security Administration, told Maddow.
The material will be blended down in Russia, rendering it useless for bomb making, the Associated Press said.
Yanukovych agreed to give up the uranium in a multinational deal announced at a nuclear security summit hosted by President Barack Obama in April. Shipments like the one recently completed from Serbia result in permanent threat reduction because they eliminate weapons-usable nuclear material at civilian sites.
Securing the material will prevent it from falling into the wrong hands, officials say.
As an incentive, the United States is providing replacement low-enriched uranium that can be used for Ukraine's research reactors.
The summit deal also has the United States building a $25 million "neutron source facility" nuclear research project for Ukraine, the administration said. The facility will be able to produce 50 different types of medical isotopes, using only low-enriched uranium.
"The fewer places this stuff is at the better off the world is," D'Agostino told Maddow. "This is a global problem."
"It doesn't require a lot of technology or knowhow to make a nuclear bomb," he said. "Unfortunately the word is out there."
The "vulnerable nuclear material" was in 35 nations, D'Agostino said.
"We're done with 19 countries and have 16 more to go," D'Agostino told Maddow, noting the U.S. and other countries were on track to complete removal by the end of the four-year deadline established by the nations.
All the movement has to be done in secret and coordinated with other nations, he said.
Four nations were involved in the Ukraine operation, he said.
"Pulling this off is a huge challenge," he said.
The removal operation completed Thursday involved 21 specially designed casks for the uranium to be flown on five flights from three cities, officials told The Associated Press.
The operation was delayed for days by ice storms in Ukraine. The U.S. also helped deliver some of the replacement fuel to Ukraine.
"This may have been the most complicated operation NNSA has done in recent years," said Andrew Bieniawski, the U.S. agency's associate deputy administrator for global threat reduction.
The uranium came from three research facilities, in Kiev, Sevastopol and Kharkiv. The U.S. also helped Ukraine remove a slightly larger amount of spent uranium by rail in May. An additional amount of uranium remains in Ukraine, but the U.S. said the material was on track to be removed by the April 2012 deadline.
On Dec. 22, 28 pounds of Russian-origin highly enriched uranium spent fuel was removed from the Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences in Serbia, making that nation the sixth country to eliminate all of its stockpiles of the material since April 2009, the nuclear security agency said after an operation there.
The agency has removed or assisted with the disposition of enough material to make more than 122 nuclear weapons, it said.
About 3.5 million pounds of highly enriched uranium and half a million pounds of bomb-grade plutonium remain in the world, according to Harvard University's Belfer Center.
That material could be used to build as many as 200,000 nuclear weapons, or about 8 1/2 times the world's current stockpile of 23,360 warheads.
Stalin Statue Blown Up In Ukraine
KIEV, Ukraine -- Extremists blew up a controversial monument to Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin on New Year's night in southeastern Ukraine in an 'act of terror', the local Communist Party said on Saturday.
The bust in the city of Zaporizhia, unveiled this May, caused a heated controversy in Ukraine which is still split between its nationalist west and the more Russian orientated east which fondly remembers the Soviet past.
'A criminal broke into the grounds of the Communist Party regional headquarters, and laid an explosive charge which detonated after a few minutes,' the Communist Party said.
'The statue of Stalin was destroyed as a result of the blast,' the Communists said in a statement. It said that the explosion inflicted serious damage on the building but there were no casualties.
'We consider this to be an act of terror and a challenge from extreme right-wing forces,' it added. The explosion took place at 10:40pm (3:40pm Friday, New York time) on New Year's Eve, it said.
The same statue had been badly damaged last week in a blast claimed by Nationalist group Tryzub (Trident) which denounced Stalin as 'the executioner of the Ukrainian people and an international terrorist.'
The bust in the city of Zaporizhia, unveiled this May, caused a heated controversy in Ukraine which is still split between its nationalist west and the more Russian orientated east which fondly remembers the Soviet past.
'A criminal broke into the grounds of the Communist Party regional headquarters, and laid an explosive charge which detonated after a few minutes,' the Communist Party said.
'The statue of Stalin was destroyed as a result of the blast,' the Communists said in a statement. It said that the explosion inflicted serious damage on the building but there were no casualties.
'We consider this to be an act of terror and a challenge from extreme right-wing forces,' it added. The explosion took place at 10:40pm (3:40pm Friday, New York time) on New Year's Eve, it said.
The same statue had been badly damaged last week in a blast claimed by Nationalist group Tryzub (Trident) which denounced Stalin as 'the executioner of the Ukrainian people and an international terrorist.'
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