WASHINGTON'S VIEW ON UKRAINE'S EXPORTS

 

    - In these cases, American laws come into effect. One American law identifies countries that sponsor terrorism. The US requests not to export weapons to those countries. The US Congress warns that they will apply sanctions to those countries that cooperate with countries sponsoring terrorism. In this way, military cooperation with such countries may cause problems. But I think that over the past two years of negotiations, we were able to explain our position to Ukraine and I think now there is great understanding of the situation in Ukraine.

 

 

    - What does the US think about Ukraine’s rather aggressive policy of arm sales, particularly when it involves sensitive regions?

 

    - It is a rather difficult problem considering the US is a large weapons supplier itself. Certainly no one can maintain that weapons supplied by the US are always stabilizing and deliveries of other countries are always destabilizing factors. Our position on export policy it to strictly abide by the non-export and non-proliferation of goods and technologies used for weapons of mass destruction. In general we think that a country should follow common sense in export policy. In other words, the political consequences of arms supplies should be taken into consideration. And I think that Ukraine is trying to do just way.

 

Additional information by

“International Security”

 

    Among Ukraine’s main trading partners in 1998 (importers of military-purpose goods) were Pakistan, Russia, and countries of the Middle East. The export of Ò-80UD tanks to Pakistan was the most profitable for Ukraine last year. Almost 2/3rd of exports of military-purpose goods and services are being carried out via the State Company “Ukrspetsexport”. In comparison with the previous year, the export of goods subject to control in CIS countries has decreased. Supplies to African countries are increasing and exports to Latin American countries have not changed. 1078 export permits for military-purpose goods and dual-use goods were given during 1998, nearly the same amount as last year.

    The mechanism of adopting decrees concerning exports of arms and sensitive technologies in Ukraine is based on the legal documents in the sphere of export control, such as “the Decree Concerning State Export Control in Ukraine”¹117 of 13.02.98, approved by the President of Ukraine and Cabinet of Ministers. Approval of exports is based on the analysis of consequences of the international transfer and interagency agreement. When the state agencies are unable to reach agreement, the issue is submitted for consideration to the Commission on Export Control Policy and Military and Technical Co-operation. It is believed, during the session it is possible to analyze all aspects of certain international transfer and to a reach an adjusted and grounded decision.

    The decision-making structure is rather flexible. In cases of production cooperation or repair of the equipment earlier supplied, SSEC makes the decision. Arms sales to sensitive regions are reviewed by the Commission on Export Control Policy and Military and Technical Cooperation. The term for examination of applications for import and transit is 15 working days, for exports of dual-use goods - 30 days, and for export of military equipment and weapons - 45 days.