Ukrainian President Creates 'Favorable Conditions' for Investigation of Arms Sales to Iraq

As a Rosbalt correspondent reports, Leonid Kuchma has instructed all Ukrainian ministries and departments to offer diplomatic assistance to an international group of experts investigating the Ukraine's sale of arms to Iraq.

A representative of the president said that by doing this 'Kuchma has created favorable conditions for the work of the investigating group.' The president himself expressed the hope that the investigation would be as objective and open as possible so that both the Ukraine and the West could follow its progress.

A special committee formed by the Ukrainian government will be investigating the sale of the Kolchuga anti-aircraft system to Iraq, as well as the international committee. Kuchma has already denied any personal involvement in the illegal sale of arms. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence has confirmed the sale of Kolchuga to Ethiopia but not to Iraq.