Mykola Tomenko: Ukrainian Military Commitment in Cote d'Ivoire is risky and dangerous for Ukrainian Military Men
Mykola Tomenko, Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is convinced that the Ukrainian military commitment in Cote d'Ivoire is risky and dangerous for the lives of Ukrainian military men.
Today, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is going to scrutinize the bill "On Support of the Decree of the President of Ukraine to direct Peacekeeping Forces of Ukraine to support to the UN Mission in Cote d'Ivoire" (Reg. No.8057). The bill directs 3 helicopters with aircrew personnel and support personnel including 60 people from the peacekeeping forces out of 56 helicopter detached force that takes part in UN mission in Liberia, to the territory of a neighboring country - Cote d'Ivoire - for the period of election campaign (up to three months), pursuant to the order of the United Nations Security Council.
"The country is on the threshold of civil war. Under such conditions, direction of Ukrainian military men to this state is dangerous and risky for our solders", M. Tomenko emphasised.
According to the Deputy Chairman, there could be arguments for the directing the humanitarian peacekeeping mission in this state concerning assistance to the victims, but "direction of the military helicopters in flashpoint is inadmissible."
Mykola Tomenko is convinced that "state and politicians can not endanger human lives", and suggests that the Verkhovna Rada rejects this bill "On Support of the Decree of the President of Ukraine to direct Peacekeeping Forces of Ukraine to support to the UN Mission in Cote d'Ivoire."