MPs of Ukraine did not support a draft bill, which provides for consent to President’s decision to admit foreign armed forces to the territory of Ukraine for conducting military exercises in 2006, as reported vice-speaker Adam Martinyuk.
The draft bill was supported by 215 “for” votes only, out of 226 necessary ones.
Commenting on the vote, Defense Minister of Ukraine Anatoly Hrytsenko noted that the passing of this bill would be advantageous, as the matter concerns creation of battle possibilities for our state.
As a reminder, Yushchenko offered deputies to approve his decision to admit foreign armed forces to the territory of Ukraine for participation in multinational military exercises “Combined Efforts – 2006”, “Sea Breeze – 2006”, “Tight knot – 2006”, “South – 2006”,”Cossack steppe – 2006”.
Explanatory note to the bill provides information about states, number of military equipment and personnel:
Great Britain and Poland (up to 300 military with regular equipment) within 15 days in September 2006 for participation in “Cossack steppe – 2006”;
Moldova (up to 30 military) within five days in June 2006 for participation in “South – 2006”;
The USA (up to 200 military with regular engineering equipment) within 45 days in May – June 2006 with the framework of preparation for “Sea Breeze – 2006” exercise;
Countries – NATO members and other states (up to 700 military with regular equipment, ship-amphibian “Wisby Island, two aircrafts P-3A “Orion”, four frigates and a submarine) within 20 days in July – August 2006 for participation in “Sea Breeze – 2006”;
Great Britain (up to 150 military, nine aircrafts “Harrier GR7” and four troop-carriers “C-130”) within 11 days in June 2006 for participation in “Tight knot – 2006”;
The USA (up to 100 military and four troop-carriers C-130) within 14 days in June 2006 for participation in “Combined Efforts – 2006”.
