[Ohio UZO News] Interview with President Yushchenko

[Andrew J. Futey]

The Times
August 23, 2008
Interview with President Yushchenko
Roger Boyes

Q: The Russian intervention in Georgia is making everyone in the region
nervous.How are you going to guard Ukraine's independence?

Yushchenko: Recent events in Georgia show how fragile peace and stability
can be not just in one country but in the whole region. It is the first time
in Europe since the Cold War

that a foreign army has invaded the territory of a sovereign state without
any internationally accepted legal basis. If we are ambivalent about this it
will give tacit approval to put our country and our citizens under threat.
In the first days of the conflict, Ukraine clearly demonstrated her
position. The territorial integrity and independence of any country are
sacrosanct. We have been and will remain loyal to these principles.

The main lesson from Georgia is that no single model of national security
can guarantee the defence of national sovereignty. Only collective security
can guarantee peace and stability and restrain aggression. Ukraine has to
move towards the NATO alliance. For our country it is the only way to
protect our national security and sovereignty. When the borders of NATO
expand so too does the region of peace and stability.

The Russia-Georgia conflict will have a serious geopolitical impact not only
on the continent of Europe but for the whole world. Today the peace and
security of Europe are under threat so a united Europe should give a robust
and appropriate response to this challenge.

I believe that NATO member countries will now support the aspirations of
Ukraine to receive a Membership Action Plan invitation during the December
session of the Alliance's ministers. It is very important both for the
alliance and for Ukraine. We share common values and a common
responsibility.

Q: Are you going to boost your defence?

Yushchenko: After the recent events it is clear that we need to review our
defence priorities. In the August or September sessions of the Ukrainian
National Security Council we will review the whole system of how we are
financing the armed forces in 2008 and the perspectives for 2009. We need to
increase the military budget to ensure that there is no question about what
will happen tomorrow. I want to remind all political forces in our country
that shout about the possible neutral status of Ukraine, that neutrality can
come at a very high price.

Q: Russia claims that you are selling arms to Georgia. Is that true?

Yushchenko: It is very difficult to comment on the unsubstantiated claims of
Russian officials particularly as they have supplied no evidence. The
partnership between Ukraine and Georgia is based on law and on mutual
benefit, as with any two countries. We have an inter-governmental agreement
on military cooperation signed in 1995 and 1996. No limits have been set by
international organisations on military technical cooperation between
Georgia and Ukraine, so any comment on this subject amounts to unhelpful
speculation.

Q: Are you going to try to box the Russian fleet into Sevastopol?

Yushchenko: We cannot control a foreign fleet"s operational activities.
However we can and must demand that our Russian counterparts strictly abide
by Ukrainian legislation regarding the stationing of the Russian navy on our
territory. It is set out in international law and there is a modus operandi
for situations like this. I have issued two decrees to control the
re-location of Russian troops and military equipment outside their bases as
well as their crossing of the Ukrainian state border.

This fully complies with the core agreement signed between Ukraine and
Russia that regulates the situation as long as the Russian navy is stationed
on our territory.

We still face a lot of unresolved issues with respect to the Russian navy"s
stationing in the Crimea but I am confident that we will be able to reach a
compromise.

Q: So when will you start talks with Russia about removing the fleet when
their lease runs out in 2017?

Yushchenko: We have repeatedly urged Russia to consider this issue. However
every time we face a lack of understanding and outright reluctance on their
part to solve this problem.

The withdrawal of such a complex military contingent cannot be accomplished
overnight. It will take much political, economic and logistical preparation.
That will include the building and upgrading of military bases in Russia
where the fleet will be redeployed. International experience suggests that
one needs between seven and nine years. So we cannot help but be worried
about Russia when it is unwilling even to commence negotiations.

When the treaty expires the Russian troops and vessels have to be pulled out
of Ukraine.

Q: How do you feel about the poisoning attempt that scarred your face? Do
you know now who was behind it?

Yushchenko: The issue of my poisoning is my personal tragedy and that of my
family and unfortunately it has become an integral part of the political
debate in Ukraine. There is a great deal of speculation about this. We will
have to wait for the legal procedures to take their course and draw a line
under this matter.