Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KYIV2515
2007-10-03 12:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kyiv
Cable title:
UKRAINE: MILITARY HELICOPTERS FOR UNAMID REQUESTED
how-toVZCZCXYZ0006 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHKV #2515 2761215 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 031215Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY KYIV TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3965 INFO RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0023 RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 0002 RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN 0016 RUEHDL/AMEMBASSY DUBLIN 0004 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0054 RUEHNJ/AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA 0001 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0006 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0025 RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 0001 RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 0009 RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 0023 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0033
C O N F I D E N T I A L KYIV 002515
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT ALSO FOR IO/PSC, EUR/UMB AND EUR/PGI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/03/2017
TAGS: PREL UNSC KPKO SU UK UP
SUBJECT: UKRAINE: MILITARY HELICOPTERS FOR UNAMID REQUESTED
REF: A. LONDON 3746
B. PARIS 4084
C. STATE 136068
Classified By: Political Counselor Kent Logsdon for reasons 1.4(b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L KYIV 002515
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT ALSO FOR IO/PSC, EUR/UMB AND EUR/PGI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/03/2017
TAGS: PREL UNSC KPKO SU UK UP
SUBJECT: UKRAINE: MILITARY HELICOPTERS FOR UNAMID REQUESTED
REF: A. LONDON 3746
B. PARIS 4084
C. STATE 136068
Classified By: Political Counselor Kent Logsdon for reasons 1.4(b,d)
1. (U) Per input received ref A, we joined UK Embassy Head of
Political Section Duncan Allan on a joint demarche October 3
to MFA UN Directorate head Petro Datsenko to request that
Ukraine consider providing six to twelve military utility
helicopters (ref C) for UNAMID (United Nations-African Union
Mission in Darfur). (Per ref B, we did not ask that a French
Embassy representative join us.)
2. (C) Datsenko welcomed our approach, noting that Ukrainian
President Yushchenko puts a high priority on Ukrainian
participation in peacekeeping operations. Immediately after
passage of UNSC Resolution 1769 authorizing UNAMID, MFA had
sent a request to the Ministry of Defense (MOD) to consider
possible Ukrainian participation in the Darfur operation. To
date, MOD has hesitated, concerned about Sudan's position
that it preferred participation of primarily African
countries and the poor security for the operation. MOD,
however, had been considering possible troop participation,
so Datsenko opined that MOD would more favorably consider a
request to provide utility helicopters.
3. (U) Datsenko asked whether the UN was seeking Mi-8
helicopters or another type. In response to his question, we
clarified that "military utility" helicopters probably meant
light transport helicopters. Allan undertook to provide a
non-paper in response to Datsenko's request for details in
writing that he could attach to his renewed request to MOD.
(Allan said he would also provide us with a copy.) After the
meeting, Allan telephoned to advise us that Datsenko had
further inquired whether Ukraine was being asked to provide
pilots for the helicopters or logistical support. Allan said
he would seek clarification from London.
4. (C) Comment: While Ukraine could eventually provide a
positive answer, we do not expect a firm response for several
months. In reply to our question, Datsenko said a
Presidential decree could authorize Ukrainian participation
in UNAMID, but that Parliament would also need to ratify the
decree. Parliamentary elections just took place September
30, and the process of seating the new Parliament and forming
a new government could be a protracted one. At the same
time, however, early consideration of our request will allow
MFA and MOD to move quickly once the domestic political
situation clarifies.
5. (U) Visit Embassy KYIV's classified website:
www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/kiev.
Taylor
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT ALSO FOR IO/PSC, EUR/UMB AND EUR/PGI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/03/2017
TAGS: PREL UNSC KPKO SU UK UP
SUBJECT: UKRAINE: MILITARY HELICOPTERS FOR UNAMID REQUESTED
REF: A. LONDON 3746
B. PARIS 4084
C. STATE 136068
Classified By: Political Counselor Kent Logsdon for reasons 1.4(b,d)
1. (U) Per input received ref A, we joined UK Embassy Head of
Political Section Duncan Allan on a joint demarche October 3
to MFA UN Directorate head Petro Datsenko to request that
Ukraine consider providing six to twelve military utility
helicopters (ref C) for UNAMID (United Nations-African Union
Mission in Darfur). (Per ref B, we did not ask that a French
Embassy representative join us.)
2. (C) Datsenko welcomed our approach, noting that Ukrainian
President Yushchenko puts a high priority on Ukrainian
participation in peacekeeping operations. Immediately after
passage of UNSC Resolution 1769 authorizing UNAMID, MFA had
sent a request to the Ministry of Defense (MOD) to consider
possible Ukrainian participation in the Darfur operation. To
date, MOD has hesitated, concerned about Sudan's position
that it preferred participation of primarily African
countries and the poor security for the operation. MOD,
however, had been considering possible troop participation,
so Datsenko opined that MOD would more favorably consider a
request to provide utility helicopters.
3. (U) Datsenko asked whether the UN was seeking Mi-8
helicopters or another type. In response to his question, we
clarified that "military utility" helicopters probably meant
light transport helicopters. Allan undertook to provide a
non-paper in response to Datsenko's request for details in
writing that he could attach to his renewed request to MOD.
(Allan said he would also provide us with a copy.) After the
meeting, Allan telephoned to advise us that Datsenko had
further inquired whether Ukraine was being asked to provide
pilots for the helicopters or logistical support. Allan said
he would seek clarification from London.
4. (C) Comment: While Ukraine could eventually provide a
positive answer, we do not expect a firm response for several
months. In reply to our question, Datsenko said a
Presidential decree could authorize Ukrainian participation
in UNAMID, but that Parliament would also need to ratify the
decree. Parliamentary elections just took place September
30, and the process of seating the new Parliament and forming
a new government could be a protracted one. At the same
time, however, early consideration of our request will allow
MFA and MOD to move quickly once the domestic political
situation clarifies.
5. (U) Visit Embassy KYIV's classified website:
www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/kiev.
Taylor