Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 5, 1994 TAG: 9403050084
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk said a trainload of nuclear warheads already was on its way to Moscow for disposal.
Kravchuk and Clinton met in the Oval Office and later over lunch before appearing at a joint news conference to sign a package of agreements on economic assistance, cooperation and investment.
The Ukrainian leader brought along Olympic champion Oksana Baiul and fellow figure skater Viktor Petrenko for a tour of the White House, and they sat conspicuously in the audience at the news conference.
Clinton said the boost in aid was "a major increase in our commitment to an important friend." In his remarks, Kravchuk replied, "We are convinced we found the right friend at the right time in America."
Clinton went to great lengths to praise Kravchuk, who is credited by the administration as being the driving force behind Ukraine's agreement to eliminate 176 long-range missiles and more than 1,600 nuclear warheads that were left on its soil after the breakup of the Soviet Union.
While Ukraine still has not embraced the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Clinton said he was confident it would do so. He said steps already taken toward nuclear disarmament "represent a tribute to the statesmanship and leadership of President Kravchuk."
Administration officials said it now appeared doubtful that Kravchuk would move up the date of presidential elections to June this year rather than in 1996. "I think it's likely there will not be elections, and he will serve out his full term," an administration official said at a briefing on Kravchuk's visit.
by CNB