[EXCERPTS] DoD News Briefing May 1, 1997 -- 9 a.m.
Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen
Minister of Defense General Colonel Oleksandr Kuzmuk of Ukraine
SECRETARY COHEN: It gives me a great deal of pleasure to welcome
Minister Kuzmuk on his very first visit to the United States.
In 1993, Ukraine made a very bold and progressive choice. It decided
to dismantle its strategic nuclear arsenal. The people of Ukraine
recognize that security comes from constructive alliances and not from
nuclear weapons. And Ukraine's commitment to peaceful disarmament is
an inspiration to the rest of the world.
The United States and Ukraine worked very closely together and our
cooperation has helped lead to the speedy removal of Ukraine's nuclear
weapons..............
SECRETARY COHEN: Open to your questions.
Q: Sir, I just wanted to ask one quick question. There is -- when the
Soviet Union broke up, the bulk of the Russian strategic bomber force
is in the Ukraine. How are negotiations going on between Ukraine and
Russia for control of that bomber force? I understand Russia would
like some of those airplanes back?
MINISTER KUZMUK: After the breakup of the Soviet Union, Ukraine was
the third largest nuclear power in the world. The strategic -- the
nuclear forces of Ukraine were composed of the strategic rocket forces
and also of the strategic weapons that were within the air force of
Ukraine. Once we renounced our nuclear status and once we took it upon
ourselves to eliminate our nuclear weapons, Ukraine has done so
indeed. First of all.
Ukraine did what the entire world was expecting and wanted and removed
the warheads from its missiles. We are very carefully keeping to the
timetable for the elimination of ICBMs. Yes, the larger part of the
strategic aviation has remained in Ukraine. Ukraine is the owner of
this. But all the equipment that had been on board this aviation, all
the cruise missiles, everything that went along with them, everything
that could have been used for strategic purposes has been eliminated.
There are about 50 long-range bombers, TU-160, TU-95. This is
analogous to your B-1 bomber and B-52. Russia proposed -- we proposed
this to Russia, but we have not gotten an answer from Russia, and I
really doubt that we will get an answer from Russia. And Ukraine will
not be modernizing these bombers.
So yesterday at the Air Combat Command, I answered this question. I
said if there were to be a conflict, these bombers would have to leave
Ukraine, travel through the United States, pick up allies and actually
finish up on their way. They do have a defensive character, and
Ukraine has a defensive doctrine to defend its country -- to defend
its territorial integrity.
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