Tymoshenko forms and presides over alternative to NDSC

October23200922:14

The cabinet has formed a government commission in charge of security and defense. The commission will be headed by Premier Yulia Tymoshenko, cabinet’s website reported Oct. 21.

By its function and structure the new commission is basically the existing National Defense and Security Council headed by Pres Yushchenko. Its main difference is that Pres Yushchenko and Speaker Lytvyn won’t sit on it.

The commission is to coordinate the performance of executive bodies in mapping out and implementing the state policy in the areas of defense, development of the industrial and defense sector and equipping the armed forces with new armaments and equipments.

The commission will be headed by the premier, with the first vice premier acting as the head’s deputy. It will include ministers of defense, industrial policy, transport, emergencies, interior, finance, and justice. Also taking part in the commission work will be heads of Border Troops, SBU, Foreign Intelligence, chief of general staff and space agency of Ukraine.

Chair of the Rada security and defense committee and secretary of the NDSC can sit on the commission given their consent.

Comments

21:0225.10.09 The Presidents shadow
- A good strategic move on behalf of Tymoshenko. This newly forrned commission will be able to shadow the work and decision of the NSDC, a undemocratic "Star Chamber' body appointed by the President.