UKRAINE TOO STRAPPED TO ENHANCE CONTRIBUTION TO

UNCLAS KYIV 001301 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF UP SUBJECT: UKRAINE TOO STRAPPED TO ENHANCE CONTRIBUTION TO AFGHANISTAN REF: STATE 74362 ¶1. (SBU) On August 4, we followed up on our earlier delivery of reftel demarche encouraging enhanced contributions to the effort in Afghanistan. Olga Timysh, Deputy Director for Afghanistan and Central Asia in MFA's Asia, Africa, Middle East Directorate, made it clear that Ukraine's economic crisis had eroded its ability to enhance its contribution. ¶2. (SBU) On the military side, Ukraine currently has ten peacekeepers deployed in Afghanistan: seven with a Lithuanian PRT and two or three at ISAF headquarters. These will remain. The Ministry of Defense, MFA and the President's office would like to augment Ukraine's peacekeeper contribution. However, Timysh underlined, there is no funding for augmentation at the present time. On a policy level, however, Timyish said Ukraine endorses the overall approach we outlined in our demarche and appreciates the importance President Obama places on broad international support. ¶3. (SBU) The Foreign Ministry has plans to open an Embassy in Kabul, Timysh told us. MFA has even picked out a building. However, a budget crisis at MFA (and throughout the GOU) has put all plans to open the Embassy on hold. Timysh noted that, at present, Ukraine maintains a only a one diplomat office in Kabul. ¶4. (SBU) Timysh said that Ukrainian businessmen have the potential to contribute to Afghan reconstruction. Because of the Soviet experience, there is a considerable number of Ukrainian businessmen who understand the environment and who could help with a range of infrastructure projects. To move forward, they need security and funding. The GOU can not fund projects; they must be commercial or funded by another donor. However, the eventual opening of an Embassy would help spur more Ukrainian businessmen and technicians to take the risk and enter the Afghan market. Some are holding back because of the lack of consular support. ¶5. (SBU) Comment: Timysh's remarks indicate that, until Ukraine's economic contraction reverses, the GOU will not be in position to enhance meaningfully its contribution to the effort in Afghanistan. PETTIT