THEFT, MISMANAGEMENT JEOPARDIZE BLACK SEA FLEET PARTITION.

The Ukrainian Navy’s deputy commander, Rear Admiral MykolaKostriv, told Interfax-Ukraine August 11 that Russian-controlledships, and other assets of the Black Sea Fleet earmarked for transferto Ukraine, are rapidly deteriorating. Adding to recent Ukrainiancomplaints, Kostriv noted that some ships of Ukraine’s futureshare of the fleet "have been run mercilessly" withoutmaintenance for the past 18 months. He said that valuable equipmentand spare parts have been stolen from ships and shore depots,and that some coastal installations assigned to Ukraine are incomplete disrepair. If this process continues, the admiral said,Kiev may demand revision of existing understandings regardingthe Fleet’s partition.

Ukraine Reasserts Title to Island, Mineral Deposits