Friends of Ukraine in Europe would do everything possible to ensure that the South Ossetian scenario would not repeated in Crimea, the US ambassador in Ukraine John Tefft said in an interview with a Crimean paper.
"I saw this tragedy with my own eyes. I hope that nothing like that would happen here, and the Ukrainian leadership as well as the friends of Ukraine in Europe would do everything possible to prevent such a development", he said.
"Barack Obama said: the strategic partnership between the US and Ukraine is based on common values. These include the expansion of democracy and prosperity, protection of security and territorial integrity, strengthening of the rules of law, development and promotion of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, support of reforms in economic and energy sectors of Ukraine.
THe US hope to work with the newly elected president Yanukovich, and we will continue to strengthen our cooperation with the Ukrainian government and parliamentary leaders. This is the official policy of the United States and at the same time my direct instructions of how to work", said the American ambassador.
Tefft reiterated that the US have not abandoned plans for a presence in Crimea.
"This issue is being considered. Indeed, such intention is reflected in the charter of strategic partnership between Ukraine and the United States, but still many questions on this path must be solved, including the issue of funding. A final decision is still pending.
I would like to note that the opening of such representation in the Crimea - and not the only mission, is now under consideration. Now a possibility of opening a number of such offices around the world is being discussed, but the question of funding is always difficult to solve", said the ambassador.
Department of Monitoring,
Kavkaz Center
Publication time: 21 March 2010, 16:40
Permanent address at KAVKAZCENTER.COM: http://www.kavkazcenter.com/eng/content/2010/03/21/11690.shtml
© Copyright 2001-2011 KavkazCenter.com