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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

29 October 2002

CSCE Criticizes Ukrainian President for Iraq Arms Deal

(But endorses strong support for Ukrainian people) (690)
Calling "outrageous" and "criminal" Ukraine President Leonid Kuchma's
approval of the sale of military equipment to Iraq, leaders of the
U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) asked in
a letter to Secretary of State Colin Powell that he form an
inter-agency group to track any financial benefit Kuchma and his
associates might derive from the sale.
"We further urge that the United States initiate contacts with foreign
governments in an attempt to identify the money trail from sales to
Iraq or possible sales to other rogue regimes," the bipartisan letter
reads, as quoted in an October 28 press release. "In addition, we
believe official contacts with Mr. Kuchma should be kept to an
absolute minimum and be conducted at the lowest possible levels."
The commissioners said that while they "continue to endorse strong
U.S. support for Ukraine and its people, given the evidence at hand it
is hard to see how we might resume a normal relationship with Mr.
Kuchma or place our faith in any assurances he might offer us."
Following is the press release:
(begin text)
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe [Helsinki Commission]
Washington, D.C. 20515-6460
www.csce.gov
Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Chairman
Rep. Christopher H. Smith, Co-Chairman
October 28, 2002 
KUCHMA'S IRAQI ARMS DEAL APPROVAL DRAWS FIRE FROM HELSINKI COMMISSION
LEADERS
Bipartisan Letter to Powell Urges Close Scrutiny of Kuchma's Money
(Washington) - Leaders of the United States Helsinki Commission have
urged Secretary of State Colin Powell to keep a close eye on President
Leonid Kuchma's financial dealings after recent revelations that the
Ukrainian personally approved an arms deal with Iraq.
In their letter to Powell, the bipartisan Commission leadership said
Kuchma's "action makes a mockery of international efforts to isolate
Saddam Hussein's outlaw regime while. . .significantly increasing the
risk to U.S. and U.K. military personnel who are currently policing
the 'no-fly' zones and may be called upon to conduct additional
operations against Iraq."
Helsinki Commission leaders signing the letter were Chairman Senator
Ben Nighthorse Campbell [Republican, Colorado], Co-Chairman Rep.
Christopher H. Smith [Republican, New Jersey], Ranking Member Senator
Christopher J. Dodd [Democrat, Connecticut] and Ranking Member Rep.
Steny H. Hoyer [Democrat, Maryland].
"We are deeply troubled by recently published information making it
clear that Ukrainian President Leonid D. Kuchma gave his personal
approval for the sale of sophisticated military equipment to Iraq,"
the leaders wrote in a letter to Powell.
"It is difficult to see Mr. Kuchma's approval of this sale as anything
other than a hostile and reckless act," the leaders wrote. "Such
criminal conduct by the leader of a country that has been a major
beneficiary of U.S. political support and financial assistance is
outrageous and demands a clear and firm response from the
Administration."
Strong action is warranted to demonstrate to Mr. Kuchma, as well as to
other foreign officials, that reckless and criminal behavior will have
the most serious consequences, according to the leaders.
"As an initial step, we urge that the Department of State establish an
inter-agency group to develop concrete measures focused on the
Ukrainian leader, members of the presidential administration, and
other state officials," the letter reads.
Among other things, the purpose of such an inter-agency group would be
to closely examine any financial benefit Kuchma or his associates
might have derived from this sale, as well as any other possible
illegal activities, including money laundering.
"We further urge that the United States initiate contacts with foreign
governments in an attempt to identify the money trail from sales to
Iraq or possible sales to other rogue regimes," the letter reads. "In
addition, we believe official contacts with Mr. Kuchma should be kept
to an absolute minimum and be conducted at the lowest possible
levels."
"While we continue to endorse strong U.S. support for Ukraine and its
people, given the evidence at hand it is hard to see how we might
resume a normal relationship with Mr. Kuchma or place our faith in any
assurances he might offer us," Commission leaders wrote. "We believe
that U.S. policy toward Ukraine must be crafted with these goals in
mind."
The United States Helsinki Commission has actively monitored Ukraine's
military security and human rights conditions. A compilation of
Ukraine-related material is available on the Commission's Internet Web
site.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)



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