Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Hillary Clinton tells Ukraine door to NATO open
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Hillary Clinton tells Ukraine door to NATO open
Reuters - Saturday, July 3
Send
IM Story
Print
By Arshad Mohammed
KIEV - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told Ukraine on Friday that the door to joining NATO remained open even though its new leadership has abandoned alliance membership as a long-term goal.
But she made clear that Washington did not seek to disrupt Ukraine's new closer ties with Moscow. Those who pushed Ukraine to choose between Russia and the West were offering a "false choice," she said.
At the same time, she urged President Viktor Yanukovich to stick to a democratic course and obliquely expressed concern over reports that media freedoms were being infringed.
"We would urge the Ukrainian government to safeguard these critical liberties," she told a news conference with Yanukovich.
She also backed Ukraine's push to win a new International Monetary Fund programme of up to $19 billion and encouraged the country to strengthen its investment climate through economic reform, fighting corruption and upholding the rule of law.
Clinton's discreet avoidance of any open criticism of pro-Russian moves by the newly-elected Yanukovich was in line with the Obama administration's policy of "resetting" ties with Moscow.
Apart from downgrading contacts with the U.S.-led military alliance, Yanukovich has tilted Ukraine firmly towards Moscow by stepping up commercial contacts and by extending the stay of the Russian navy in a Ukrainian Black Sea port by 25 years.
"Regarding NATO, let me say very clearly: Ukraine is a sovereign and independent country that has the right to choose your own alliances," Clinton told Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Gryshchenko.
"NATO'S door remains open but it is up to Ukraine to decide whether or not you wish to pursue that or any other course for your own security interests," she added.
Yanukovich has dropped NATO membership as a goal, to the delight of Moscow, saying his country will remain outside military blocs. On Friday, he said Kiev would keep cooperating with the Western alliance on defence reform and peace-keeping.
Far from faulting his approach, Clinton later told students at the Kiev Polytechnic Institute "what Ukraine is doing in trying to balance its relationships between the United States, the European Union and Russia make a lot of sense."
Yanukovich was sure to be pleased by Washington's blessing for what he says is a pragmatic policy that looks both to Russia and the West, and for Ukraine's efforts to stabilise its economy with help from global financial lenders.
Clinton fulsomely praised Yanukovich's election in February as a "major step in consolidating Ukraine's democracy."
She later met his arch-rival former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, now in opposition, who may have a different view.
Tymoshenko, who faces possible prosecution for alleged misdemeanours in office, disputed Yanukovich's election but then dropped a legal attempt to block his inauguration.
MEDIA FREEDOMS THREATENED?
The one area where Clinton came close to criticising Yanukovich was over media freedoms and democratic liberties.
Last week, U.S. Ambassador to Kiev John Tefft expressed concern about reports of pressure on journalists since Yanukovich came to power.
"Freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom to petition governments, to assemble, to participate in the political sphere -- these are not just afterthoughts," she said. "These are absolutely the right and the property of each individual."
Clinton said she had raised these issues with Yanukovich and she noted that he has previously committed to uphold democracy, strengthen rule of law and respect human rights.
"We recognise that rhetoric alone does not change behaviour," Clinton said. "These statements need to be followed up with concrete actions."
Clinton is at the start of a five-country regional tour and was stopping in Krakow, Poland, on Saturday for a gathering of the Community of Democracies, a group that promotes democratic norms. She will also visit Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Guinea's ex-PM Diallo and rival Conde in race for president AFP - Saturday, July 3
New Afghan war commander appeals for united battle AFP - 12 minutes ago
Two Russian spies reveal true identity AFP - 24 minutes ago
Dolphin hunting film screens in Japan despite protests AFP - 1 hour 39 minutes ago
US urges China to respect rights in Xinjiang region AFP - 1 hour 42 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Kyrgyzstan gets Central Asia's first woman president
Oil spill claims arriving faster than BP can pay them
Falling unemployment fails to quell US recovery fears
S.Africa judge drops drugs charge against Paris Hilton
S.African judge drops drugs charges against Paris Hilton
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Paris Hilton arrested after Brazil World Cup match: reports
Who's right - the dolphin or the octopus?
Reclusive top mathematician turns down prize, again
S.Africa judge drops drugs charge against Paris Hilton
From boy to man: Cuba's Elian gives thanks 10 years later
More Most Viewed »
Aussie men shoot each other in buttocks 'to see if it hurts'
Amputee cat gets bionic legs
Fans gather for Michael Jackson death anniversary
Who's right - the dolphin or the octopus?
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Saturday, 3 July 2010 Petraeus arrives in Afghanistan as Taliban attack kills five
Betancourt returns to Colombia two years after release
The Times starts charging for online content
Kurd conflict comes back to haunt Turkey before polls
China hits out at EU modem probe
French civil servant rapped over tell-all book
Falling unemployment fails to quell US recovery fears
U.N. peacekeepers face tensions in southern Lebanon
|
Obama To Grant $795 Million For Rural Broadband Internet
Apple to issue patch for iPhone 4 antenna woes
Petraeus arrives in Afghanistan as Taliban attack kills five
New German president sworn in after vote drama
USAID compound attacked in Afghanistan; 4 killed
Feds Shut Down Websites Pirating Movies
"Eclipse" Stars To Surprise Fans In Select Theaters
Obama announces broadband grants to spur jobs
Apple's PR Says Jobs "Relax" Email Is A Fake
Nokia aims to be the best with Symbian, MeeGo-Vanjoki
Mexico arrests man for killing U.S. consulate staffer
|
U.S. Presidential Survey Has FDR On Top, Bush Among Worst
Bank of China to raise $8.9 bln in rights issue
U.N. creates new body on women, gender equality
|
Gunmen kill senior Iraqi Sunni cleric
|
Florida Officials Say 35 Dead Seabirds On Atlantic Coast Not From BP Spill
Consumer Bankruptcies Up 14 Percent In First Half Of 2010
U.S. Expresses Shock Over Bombing Of Pakistani Shrine
Nokia aims to be the best with Symbian, MeeGo-Vanjoki
U.S. Unemployment Rate Improves In June
U.S. Offers To Sell Top Weapons Systems To India
No change in Afghanistan strategy: NATO chief
One year on, Amnesty urges inquiry into Urumqi violence
Evans confident as Tour redemption bid begins
25 hurt in fresh protests in curfew-hit Indian Kashmir
Sulzberger relishing Tour de France debut
Rogers hopes fine balance comes good on Tour
Okinawa city to sue Japan over US base issue
Nine killed in two days of attacks in Thai south: police
S.Korean PM likely to offer resignation: report
India hikes interest rates by 25 basis points
Bank of China to raise $8.9 billion
Casket Of First Michigan Governor Lost And Found
California Assembly Approves $20 Million Settlement For Kidnap Victim And Daughters
Yale finds Velazquez masterpiece in storage
Dutch celebrate World Cup win over Brazil
Poll shows polarisation in Serbian attitudes towards gays
French photo festival puts Jagger in spotlight
Romantic movies? Not Helen Mirren's cup of tea
|
Iron Maiden explores "Final Frontier" on new album
Phil Collins brings Motown "heatwave" to Montreux
New Afghan war commander appeals for united battle
Two Russian spies reveal true identity
US-TECH Summary
Gen. Petraeus calls for unity in Afghanistan war
Israel's Netanyahu says wants better ties with Turkey
Tibetan environmentalist jailed for 5 years
|
World's biggest cake melting in Paris heatwave
Oil spill claims arriving faster than BP can pay them
Republicans Blame Obama for Stalled Immigration Reform
Jonas Brothers And Demi Lovato Add New Tour Dates, Cancel Others
S.Africa judge drops drugs charge against Paris Hilton
Lilith Fair Cancels Ten Tour Dates
S.African judge drops drugs charges against Paris Hilton
BP Oil Containment Effort Suffers Setbacks
US judge orders Russia spy suspects stay detained
Paris Hilton arrested after Brazil World Cup match: reports
U.S. Markets Continue Decline On Jobs, Factory Data
Russian cargo ship fails to dock with ISS
Colombian rebels planting landmines in Panama: government
|
Moynihan, as Nixon aide, warned of global warming
Suspect in killing of 2 Fla. officers surrenders
New Australia PM says boatpeople next priority
Lawyer: NY spy suspect's dad told her to see cops
Top Indian Maoist leader killed: police
Hillary Clinton tells Ukraine door to NATO open
India cricket chiefs to decide fate of suspended IPL boss
Maldives extends MPs' house arrest as crisis drags
Tibetan environmentalist jailed for 5 years
Protests as 'The Cove' hits Japanese cinemas
Third spy arrested over assassination attempt in SKorea
Children of accused spies confront identity crisis
Paris Hilton questioned by police after Cup match
China transparency urged year after Xinjiang bloodshed
Japan donates 10 million dollars for Galapagos solar energy
Kyrgyzstan swears in caretaker president
India opens ultra-modern airport terminal
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Protests, police at Japan opening of "The Cove"
Newspapers look for ways to profit in Internet age
Paris Hilton questioned by police after Cup match
Judge drops charges in Calif. paparazzo attack
Minogue aims to spread the love with "Aphrodite"
Lady Gaga heads for 10 million Facebook fan record
Health issues don't slow down Bret Michaels
Billboard CD reviews: Christina Aguilera, Korn, Jewel
Defeat ruins carnival for Israel's Brazilian Kibbutz
Romantic movies? Not Helen Mirren's cup of tea
Paris Hilton questioned by police after Cup match
|
Lady Gaga heads for 10 million Facebook fan record
|
Protests, police at Japan opening of The Cove
|
Health issues don't slow down Bret Michaels
|
Judge drops charges in Calif. paparazzo attack
|
Minogue aims to spread the love with Aphrodite
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights