KYIV, October 18 – Ukraine’s parliament voted Thursday to create a commission to investigate whether the former Soviet republic was involved in selling a sophisticated radar system to Iraq in violation of U.N. sanctions.
The resolution was supported by 221 lawmakers in the 450-seat Verkhovna Rada, less than a majority but well above the 150 votes required for creation of a special parliamentary commission.
The resolution did not specifically mention President Leonid Kuchma, who last month was accused by the U.S. State Department of approving the sale of a Kolchuha radar system to Iraq for US$100 million. The accusation was based on a July 2000 recording made secretly by a Kuchma bodyguards who was later given asylum in the United States.
Kuchma denied the accusation, and Ukrainian authorities invited British and U.S. experts to examine documents of production and sale and visit the factory that produces the Kolchuha systems. The experts arrived Sunday and remain in Ukraine.
Members of the team Thursday left the eastern city of Donetsk, where the Topaz plant that produces Kolchuhas is located, and headed for Crimea, the Interfax news agency reported. It said they are expected to visit seven sites in Ukraine where the systems are located.
The parliamentary resolution also invited foreign parliament members to participate in its investigation as observers. The Kolchuha radar systems can detect aircraft without tipping off their pilots. U.S. officials have said they have information suggesting the radar systems may be in Iraq, where U.S. and British pilots patrol “no-fly” zones, but have not disclosed any evidence.
The United States is considering punitive measures against Ukraine and has suspected US$54 million in aid to the government as part of a policy review. Ukraine is the fourth-largest recipient of U.S. aid, receiving some US$230 million annually.
