09 March 1998
TRANSCRIPT: REMARKS OF ALBRIGHT AND UDOVENKO IN KIEV
(At signing ceremony and press conference in Kiev) (2420) Kiev -- Secretary of State Madeline Albright and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Hennadiy Udovenko signed a satellite technology safeguards agreement March 6 and called for the conclusion of an agreement on the protection of Ukrainian technology for use in space cooperation. In his remarks to the press, Foreign Minister Udovenko said, "The negotiations were held in the spirit of strategic partnership and their outcomes are a great demonstration of the high level of relations between Ukraine and the U.S." Secretary Albright, highlighting Ukraine's decision not to provide turbines to the Iranian "Bushehr Project," said, "This decision took great statesmanship. By carrying it out, Ukraine will cement its place in the international coalition to halt the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction." The U.S. agreed to support Ukraine's accession to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and the two countries reached an agreement on peaceful nuclear cooperation. Secretary Albright spoke "about the need to push ahead with economic reforms, as well as America's readiness to support these reforms." She also stressed that need to fight against corruption to improve conditions for business. Noting that the U.S. favors no particular candidate in this month's parliamentary elections, Secretary Albright remarked, "What is vital is that Ukrainians have access to all the arguments and facts a vigorous and unintimidated media can provide." In conclusion, the Secretary said, "I am pleased and encouraged by the outcome of today's discussions. They have deepened a strategic partnership that is strong today and will grow stronger still in years to come." Following their remarks, Secretary Albright and Foreign Minister Udovenko responded to questions from reporters. Following is the transcript of the remarks and press conference: (Begin transcript) REMARKS BY SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE LEONID KUCHMA, AND FOREIGN MINISTER HENNADIY UDOVENKO AT SIGNING CEREMONY AND PRESS CONFERENCE MARIINSKIY PALACE Kiev, Ukraine March 6, 1998 ANNOUNCER: The Ambassador of the United States to Ukraine Steven Pifer, and the Minister of Energy of Ukraine Oleksii Schepitzov are initialing the agreement for peaceful use of nuclear energy. ANNOUNCER: The Secretary of State of the United States of America, Madeleine Albright, and the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Hennadiy Udovenko, are signing the satellite technology safeguards agreement. ANNOUNCER: Secretary Albright and Minister Udovenko are signing a joint statement. ANNOUNCER: The Secretary of State and the Foreign Minister are now exchanging diplomatic notes which call for the conclusion of an agreement on the protection of Ukrainian technology which will be used in space cooperation. FOREIGN MINISTER UDOVENKO: Intense and crucial talks with Mrs. Albright, the Secretary of State have come to the end. I have referred to these talks as crucial not because we have problems that emerged in the course of discussions, but because within a very short we have considered a very wide range of important issues and made a number of definitive decisions, signed and initialed a string of bilateral documents. We have just finished negotiations with the President of Ukraine, Mr. Kuchma, during which we outlined the strategic directions of our developing partnership. The negotiations were held in the spirit of strategic partnership and their outcomes are a great demonstration of the high level of relations between Ukraine and the U.S. We have come to a conclusion and this has been enshrined in a joint statement concerning our further joint actions to the end of attaining the maximum possible use of the potential of the bilateral relations. In the course of negotiations with you, we discussed an extensive scope of issues related to the Ukrainian-U.S. relations in particular political, trade, economic, non-proliferation, and security issues. Special attention was attached to the cooperation in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy and space research. The agreement of cooperation in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy that has been initialed opens opportunities for attracting financial assistance and private investments from the U.S. and reform programs and development of Ukraine's nuclear energy sector. The documents concerning protection of satellite technologies pave the way for Ukraine's participation in international commercial space projects including such large ones as the "Sea Launch" and the "Global Star." The fact that the United States of America fully supports immediate accession of Ukraine to the missile technology control regime is considered by us as a very important step in the spirit of strategic partnership. In addition, the USA will insist on the support of Ukrainian membership in this regime by other MTCR members. So we can hope that in the nearest future, Ukraine will accede to the missile technology control regime and fully participate in international cooperation in this field where, as is known, we have a great scientific and industrial potential. I would like to stress that this arrangement corresponds to Ukrainian national interests. We have discussed with the Secretary of State issues of international security and cooperation, in particular, preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and related technologies and equipment. In this connection, Ukraine has decided to refrain from nuclear cooperation with Iran, including the supply of turbines to the "Bushehr Project." It was not an easy decision since our companies are having very substantial financial losses and, (but) we are to all our (unintelligible) international commitments made the decision. In this connection, I would like to stress on the importance of the provision of the agreement we have just signed that we are going to send a group of experts to Kharkiv to work, to examine this issue. We have focused our attention on deepened integration of Ukraine into your Atlantic structures, including development of cooperation with NATO based on the charter of special partnership. During our meeting with the President, we have also discussed possibilities of improving the investment climate in Ukraine and creation of favorable environment for business activities which finally should promote our economy and economic growth. As you can see, even a short list of problems discussed and settled, which resulted in the signing of documents, testifies to the level of our relations and to the frank and constructive nature of our talks. We have done a great work which constitutes a stage in the preparation of the next Kuchma-Gore Commission to be held this year in Kiev. We hope that the arrangements which will be implemented in the nearest time and the execution will bring our countries closer as it should be the case between strategic partners. Once again we greet you again, cordially greet you again in Kiev again we consider job that will very greatly contribute to the development of Ukrainian-U.S. relations. SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: Thank you very much. It is indeed good to be in Kiev again. Every time that I visit this beautiful city, it looks and feels more and more like the great European capital that it is. The joint statement Foreign Minister Udovenko and I just signed is the product of many months of hard work which build on the efforts of the commission chaired by President Kuchma and Vice President Gore. It represents a major stride forward in the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the United States. I want to hail in particular, Ukraine's decision today not to cooperate with Iran's nuclear program. This decision took great statesmanship. By carrying it out, Ukraine will cement its place in the international coalition to halt the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We also agreed today to support Ukraine's immediate admission to the Missile Technology Control Regime. Ukraine's responsible missile non-proliferation policies will allow us to expand cooperation between our space agencies. We also reached an agreement on peaceful nuclear cooperation, which will create profitable opportunities to work together on nuclear energy, and help Ukraine develop safe new sources of nuclear fuel. I also spoke with President Kuchma, Secretary Horbulin, and Foreign Minister Udovenko about the need to push ahead with economic reforms, as well as America's readiness to support these reforms. The transition to a free market is neither free nor easy, but we have learned that stretching out the process is like pulling off a bandage slowly -- it only makes the pain last longer. In improving the conditions for business and for economic growth, the fight against corruption will be especially critical. For investors recognize no strategic partner -- they move their capital where it is safe, the rule of law is strong, and bribery is not an expectation but an outrage. Later today I will be meeting with representatives of U.S. companies in Ukraine. I take their concerns about the business climate here very seriously -- as does the United States Congress. As I stressed to President Kuchma and his ministers, it is in Ukraine's interest to take them most seriously as well. We also look forward to this month's parliamentary elections. The United States favors no particular candidate, for we are interested in policies, not personalities. What is vital is that Ukrainians have access to all the arguments and facts a vigorous and unintimidated media can provide. I think we agree that anything less would be a step back for Ukrainian democracy. I am a believer in Ukraine's future -- not because I am ignorant of the challenges you still face, but because my own life has made me familiar with the kinds of hardships you have already overcome. So I am pleased and encouraged by the outcome of today's discussions. They have deepened a strategic partnership that is strong today and will grow stronger still in years to come. PRESS SECRETARY TO PRESIDENT KUCHMA: Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, you may address your questions to the Secretary of State and to the Minister (of Foreign Affairs). Of course, the President of Ukraine is available. QUESTION: (InterFax news agency of Ukraine) I'd like to address a question to President Kuchma. I'd like to point out that in my understanding there has been a compromise for Bushehr problem, and that the Minister Udovenko mentioned that Ukraine has suffered thus enormous losses. Should we understand that the U.S. support for our joining the MTCR need a certain measure of compensation for the losses and in other words whether there would be further investments in atomic energy in this respect. PRESIDENT KUCHMA: I'd like to turn you a bit back into history. The contract on the building of Bushehr project was signed by the Soviet Union. You must calculate how many years it lasts. And besides I can bring you up to date, that nothing besides (the) document was made in Kharkiv. And today nobody can be sure how many years will elapse until the construction is over. We estimate this construction to be something like $45 million. So the words of our honorable minister are a bit of an exaggeration. Second part of your question: Ukraine's accession to the MTCR removes all the limitations as to Ukraine in the space market. In no case this is no balance (equivalent) to the issue of one turbine. Because it would mean the Sea Launch project, the Global Star launches projects and prospects for other possibilities. So this decision has been taken only in the national interests of Ukraine. Thank you. QUESTION: (CNN) President Kuchma, if I may address my question to you, please? I think it would be useful for us to hear the authority of your voice behind the pledge of Ukraine on the Bushehr contract matters, so I'd like to ask you if you pledge on behalf of Ukraine to stop the contract with the Russians and with Iran, but I'd also like to ask you to reflect for a moment on what effect that decision, the decision you have taken, might have on Ukraine's relations with Russia. PRESIDENT KUCHMA: First and the main thing, Ukraine is well aware of what is safety and nuclear security for we've got Chernobyl. For that reason we have taken the considered decision to accede the NPT and we've called on all other countries of the world to do so by including those from the nuclear club so that to reduce nuclear threat all over the world. So, the political leadership of Ukraine hasn't got anything else in mind. And we will do our best so that to keep to the taken decisions. As far as it concerns our relations with Russia, I would put it in the following way: the decision has not been taken based on nothing. First, Russia hasn't got any technological difficulty so that to build this sort of turbine in Russia. Believe me that we are well aware of the possibilities of each other. As for Ukraine, we have agreed with Mrs. Albright and we are going to continue the discussion of the issue that the Kharkiv enterprise which has suffered these losses should be assisted somehow so that not to lose too much. Today there a lot of power plants, including hydropower plants, are built all over the world, even in such areas as South America, and the efforts of this enterprise would be rather valuable for that. So we have agreed that the enterprise will not remain face to face with this problem alone. Thank you. QUESTION: (ORT Russian television) I've got two questions. The first is for Mrs. Albright. When you were leaving for Ukraine, you expressed hope that you would be able to report in a positive way as for the investment issue in Ukraine. So what is conclusion, would you be able to report before the Congress later this month in a positive way on the issue? And the second question to Mr. President, do you think, Mr. President, that supporting MCTR and retaining the weapons we've got is possible at the same time? SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: Let me say that we had a very good discussion about the investment climate here and about some of the investment problems that U.S. companies have experienced. As I said, I am going to be meeting with some of the U.S. companies a bit later and we will discuss the issue further. And I hope that by the time that the certification has to go to Congress, these issues will be resolved. PRESIDENT KUCHMA: Ukraine is not going to trade tactical missiles which we possess. So this issue is in no way connected with the MTCR. PRESS SECRETARY TO PRESIDENT KUCHMA: Thank you Madam Secretary, President Kuchma, and Ministers. (End transcript)
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