Zaman, Turkey
April 17 2005

Russian Bases Obstacle for Velvet Revolutionists NATO Membership
By Mirza Cetinkaya
Published: Sunday 17, 2005
zaman.com

Russian bases in two former Soviet Republics Ukraine and Georgia,
both of which were recently marked by the ‘velvet revolutions’, are
reportedly seen as an obstacle for these countries becoming NATO
members.

Within the scope of the newly approved “open doors policy” by the
organization, an official invitation for the membership of Ukraine on
April 21 was expected. The Lithuania Foreign Affairs Minister Antanas
Valionis assigned by the organization said that the Ukraine- NATO
Commission will deal with the issues of the official invitation for
Ukraine and cooperation points. Valionis noted that any country that
wishes to enter the organization would join it within the scope of
the organization’s new policies. The greatest obstacles, however, are
the Russian bases in these countries preventing them from entering
NATO. As an unclear treaty was obtained between Moscow and Tiflis on
the subject to quit the Batum and Ahalkalaki military bases, the
Russian military fleet in the Crimean seems to hamper Ukraine’s NATO
membership for some time. According to the treaties between the two
sides, the center of the Russian Black Sea fleet will be positioned
in the Crimean until the year 2017. Those countries who want to
attend NATO must not host military bases from another country.

Ukraine Foreign Affairs Vice Minister Vladimir Ogrizko revealed that
they would allow Russia time to leave the Crimean under its own
free-will before their time is up. Observers, however, are stating
comments that Russia would do anything to hamper the Ukraine joining
NATO in order to be an obstacle to NATO settling in such a
strategically important place like the Black Sea. If they fail to
convince Russia, either the Ukraine will need to wait another year or
another solution must be found. Some argue that one solution would be
for Russia and Ukraine to become joint member of the alliance. Moscow
had voiced opinions in some not very important decisions of the
alliance through the NATO-Russia Council, which was formed in 2002.
But this situation appears difficult to develop into full membership.

The new administration of the Ukraine where a western supported soft
revolution was experienced wants to attend NATO and the EU as soon as
possible. Moreover, Prime Minister Yulya Timaasenko and President
Victor Yuescehnko who is in hurry to obtain his country’s integration
with the west are allegedly continually in discussions over these
issues. The general view in Moscow is for the idea that Ukraine’s
cooperation with the west will seriously damage the Russian benefits.
Some observers think on the other hand, Kiev’s new administration
will not be so harmful for Russia, it does not act as pro-western as
Poland and Baltic Sea countries.

Kant Military Air Base in Kyrgyzstan where the location of the last
‘velvet revolution’ is under the control of Russia. There is a US’
Manas Base 35 km away from this. The Russians also have Gebele
Observation base in Azerbaijan and the number 102 military base in
Armenia as well. It has also been suggested that Ayni Airport of
Tacikistan (Tajikistan) would be rented out to the Russians. A
top-level official from the Tajikistan Defense Secretary disclosed
that the airport would be presented for the use by the number 201
Russian base.