NATO to Help Ukraine Destroy Weapons

BRUSSELS, Belgium - NATO announced a 12-year program to help Ukraine destroy millions of surplus Soviet-era weapons in what the alliance called the largest demilitarization effort underway anywhere in the world.

The announcement came as Ukraine's new, Westward-leaning president prepared to attend a NATO summit Tuesday in Brussels, where he was expected to ask for closer cooperation between the military bloc and Ukraine.

NATO, which has said Ukraine is not ready for full membership, released a statement Saturday about the program, saying it would eliminate 133,000 tons of munitions and 1.5 million small arms and light weapons.

"Much of this material is stored in the open, posing a major security threat to local civilian populations and infrastructure," the statement said. "Safe destruction of these stocks also eliminates potential proliferation risk."

NATO is seeking to help Ukraine modernize the bloated military it inherited from Soviet times. The $32.5 million disarmament project will be led by the United States, in an opening four-year phase, with backing from Britain and Norway.

Aside from munitions and small arms, it will focus on the eradication of shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles and other so-called "man-portable air defense systems" which are seen as a particular threat to civilian aircraft if they fall into the hands of terrorists.

Yushchenko is the only non-alliance leader invited to a NATO summit on Tuesday. Yushchenko's presence is a clear sign of support for the leader, who swept to power after pro-democracy demonstrations forced a repeat election in December.

Although he repeatedly said he wants Ukraine to become a full member of NATO, Yushchenko tempered the statement Monday by saying that "no one should ever question the strategic relations between Ukraine and Russia."

"My position is that relations with Russia should be pragmatic, friendly and close," Yushchenko said before a meeting with Russia's foreign minister.

Ukraine was pursuing its drive to build closer ties with Western markets Monday, however, negotiating a plan for deeper cooperation with the European Union.

Ukrainian officials and EU foreign ministers met for talks on an "action plan" to strengthen foreign policy and security ties, offer EU backing for Ukraine's bid to join the World Trade Organization and start talks on opening markets and easing visa regulations for Ukrainians seeking travel to the 25-nation bloc.

I salute President Yushchenko for his historic decision to destroy a great deal of deadly weapons. It is hopeful he may continue to cancel all deals of weapon trade with the nations that abuse their own people, and many others will follow the good example. Ukraine has really turned a new page.

Well, yes, it is a good think. I salute him,too.

But, could he save some of the weapons and sell them to me? Gee, maybe at least a couple of crates of 7.62x39?

I think the small arms should be but on the open market so freedom loving people the world over would have a means of defending themselfs.

"I think the small arms should be but on the open market so freedom loving people the world over would have a means of defending themselfs."

Yes, and also those are a hoot to shoot.

Save me one of these, please:

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