UKRAINE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

February 27, 2003

Question: Is the information published by the British newspaper "The Guardian" concerning selling of rocket engines by Ukraine to Iraq valid?

Answer: Ukraine bluntly rejects the accusations published by "The Guardian" related to selling of engines to Samoud-2 rockets.

The given accusations represent nothing more than another attempt to pin on our state the responsibility for actions of those who are really involved in violating the regime of sanctions against Iraq.

The engines specified have never been produced in Ukraine. Besides, the system of export control in place renders impossible non-authorized transit of such a number of engines across Ukraine's territory.

Ukraine abided by and continues to abide by all relevant UN Security Council resolutions on Iraq.

It is annoying that such well-known paper as "The Guardian" is wasting its authority in pursuit of cheap sensations.