Last week, the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine made a decision to send a detached chemical, biological, and radiological warfare battalion to the Persian Gulf and Middle East area to protect the populace and the terrain of the region’s states from the consequences of a likely mass-scale contamination (for details see p.3). The battalion can only be sent with the consent of the Verkhovna Rada. According to Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn, parliament will consider the issue as soon as it receives the papers to this effect. This cannot happen before March 6, as this week the deputies will be working in their constituencies. The Day asked a few deputies about the way parliamentary factions and groups will be voting. Yet, these are only the opinions of certain deputies, for none of the factions has yet taken a position on this question apart from the Communists who claim this decision is absolutely unacceptable. However, both the majority and minority representatives show similar attitudes: the contingent should be sent, but preferably under UN sponsorship.
Ivan KURAS, Regions of Ukraine:
“Sending the contingent to a hot spot is a very serious step, and this should be a well-balanced decision. But if it is the question of not engaging in the hostilities, but of protecting the peaceful population from the consequences of the likely deployment of the weapons of mass destruction, I see no reason why this mission should be abandoned. And, certainly, under the condition that everything will be done under UN, not only American sponsorship.”
Petro PYSARCHUK, SDPU(O):
“First of all, the tough policy of US President George W. Bush is not the best way to solve international problems. I am very glad that the old Europe — both German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and French President Jacques Chirac — have dared to firmly oppose the US President’s policy. The problems existing in Iraq must be solved in a peaceful way. Those who are good at history will agree that it was minor and local conflicts that triggered World War I and World War II. It is hard to predict the way the events will develop if the Americans hurt the proud Muslim world that is sometimes strange to the Westerners. I can’t say so far how our faction’s deputies will be voting on the issue of sending the Ukrainian contingent. But I know for sure the United Social Democrats stand for a peaceful settlement of the conflict.”
Yury PAVLENKO, Our Ukraine:
“I believe the National Security and Defense Council has made the right decision. The main thing in this situation is to correctly motivate the position of our state. The claim that Ukraine is taking this step only to improve its relations with the US in the wake of the Kolchuga scandal stands up to no criticism. I am confident that, while considering involvement in the antiterrorist operation in Iraq, we should clearly state our requirements. First, the US must recognize Ukraine as a market-economy state. Secondly, it should assist Ukraine in joining the WTO. Thirdly, the US ought to lift all sanctions imposed on Ukrainian goods, strike our country off the ‘blacklists’ into which it got for sometimes obscure reasons. In addition to the above-mentioned, there also are financial issues, namely, compensation for the operation expenses. How much may Ukraine get for participation, what prospective projects can Ukraine be involved in after the war ends, i.e. will our firms be able to participate in exploiting oil and gas fields in Iraq after peace and democracy have set in there? There also are questions of attracting US investments in Ukraine, for if we help them, we have the right to gain White House assistance in drawing American business into our country. I think Ukraine could suggest that the US rent our air force bases in return for all the aforesaid things. Turkey, which has already started to receive huge amounts of money, can be taken as an example. But the most important thing is that we must discuss all these conditions in advance. It is the only way for our country to get real dividends from sending the contingent to the Persian Gulf.”
Oleksandr KUZMUK, ex-Minister of Defense:
“Ukraine is getting ready for a noble humanitarian mission to protect people who may find themselves in the area of mass destruction weapons deployment. But I only assess the NSDC decision as the starting point in the procedure of sending the contingent. What is also required is a corresponding UN decision, an invitation from the country our troops will be deployed in, and the decision of our parliament. Should the first two points be fulfilled, I suppose the Verkhovna Rada will give its consent.”
Andriy SHKYL, BYuT:
“The decision to send the battalion (incidentally, stationed in my electoral district) to Iraq is, in a way, a sting in the Verkhovna Rada’s tail, because the parliament has made its position clear, claiming that a military solution of the conflict is unacceptable, and now it has to vote again on the same point. I guess parliamentary debates are not going to be smooth. Our faction is not going to support sending Ukrainian troops to Iraq, but certainly, if military actions begin and chemical weapons are used, the question of sending our battalion will have a different coloring — we will have to save someone. And to do it now means to support the American aggression.”
