US warship attended in Georgian drill visits Sevastopol

20.04.2010 USS John L. Hall called at Sevastopol on Apr 20 at 7 pm. As it was reported, this frigate visited Odessa on Apr 12; prior to that, the ship was deployed off Georgia participating in joint naval drill.

Sevastopol branch of Progressive Socialist Party of Ukraine intends to arrange protest action at the Grafskaya Quay, informs Novy Region citing Evgeny Dubovik, local leader of the party. He says all rumors that the visit of US warship is associated with 65th anniversary of the Victory in WW2 are rude lie.

"If only there's a single WW2 veteran on board, we'd welcome him with flowers and open arms. And, of course, we'd thank him for the victory achieved along with our grandfathers. But they're going to be young, healthy, and ready-to-fight guys. We don't forget they've came from Georgia. We remember Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran", Dubovik said.

As for him, subsequent visit of US warship to Sevastopol is part of a plan to draw Ukraine into NATO.

"During his visit to Washington, Yanukovich confirmed fidelity to the United States-Ukraine Charter on Strategic Partnership signed by Ogryzko. That means that the new president and parliamentary coalition proceed Yushchenko's NATO-oriented policy and betray southeast regions which actually made Yanukovich a president", explained Dubovik.

The politician reminded about his proposal made at recent session of city council to address a note to the Parliament requesting elimination of clause 5.5 from coalitional agreement which actually provides joining NATO. However, majority of MPs representing Party of Regions refused to do that. Same happened at city councils of Donetsk and Lugansk, said Dubovik.

John Hall is an Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate; she was launched on June 26, 1982. Despite their small size, these frigates are considered very reliable and survivable.

Frigates of this class were deployed in the Persian Gulf during Iranian-Iraqi conflict in 80's. In the course of combat actions, one ship was attacked by Iraqi aircraft and another collided with mine. However, both frigates were recovered.

According to press release of US embassy in Tbilisi, regular visits of US Navy to the Black Sea testify commitment of the U.S. to maintain regional stability.