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3. On the issue of Ukraine's participation in the United Nations' "Oil for food" program

Ukraine already takes part in the United Nations' "Oil for food" program, realization whereof provides for conclusion of corresponding contracts with the Iraqi side and their approval by the Office of the Iraq Program of the United Nations' Secretariat under condition that no forbidden goods are supplied to Iraq.

Within the framework of realization of this Program Ukraine supplied to Iraq foodstuffs, spare parts and equipment for petroleum industry, power-engineering sector and pipelines.

Besides, 35 Ukrainian companies have been registered in the Committee 661 of the United Nations Security Council as national purchasers Iraqi crude oil.

On March, 28 the United Nations Security Council has unanimously passed resolution 1472 which altered the United Nations' "Oil for food" Program in view of ongoing hostilities in Iraq.

In particular, the given resolution grants a number of additional powers to the United Nations Secretary General with the purpose of maintaining implementation of already authorized contracts that are directed, first of all, to provide humanitarian assistance to the country's population, to satisfy needs of refugees and displaced persons. The resolution provides that at present priority will be given to conclusion and implementation of those contracts within the framework of the "Oil for food" Program to supply to Iraq medical goods, as well as foodstuffs and other goods intended to satisfy basic civil needs.

At the moment the Ukrainian side is examining additional opportunities for participation of our state in implementation of this Program taking into account its priority needs, in particular those concerning supplies of medical goods.

4. A comment concerning information that appeared in the American "Newsweek" weekly magazine concerning alleged supplies of anti-tank missiles "Kornet" to Iraq

On March, 31 American "Newsweek" weekly magazine published an article in which, apart from other things, it is stated that according to official representatives of the Pentagon, some Ukrainian weapon-dealers have allegedly sold close to 500 "Kornet" anti-tank missiles this January to Iraq.

This information is perceived by us as nothing but another attempt to undermine authority of our state by taking advantage of tense and aggravating situation in Iraq, as well as the Near Eastern region and Persian Gulf.

As we all well know, previous numerous accusations brought against Ukraine of alleged transfers of arms to Iraq have proved to be groundless.

I would like to emphasize once again that Ukraine has invariably abided by sanctions of the United Nations Security Council concerning Iraq and did not transfer any arms to this country.

The information specified is groundless and is based on unchecked and biased information.

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- How would you comment the statement made by Ambassador of the USA to Ukraine C. Pascual that Ukraine has allegedly given its consent to become a member of the anti-Iraq coalition?

- I would like to draw again your attention to the recent commentary made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this issue.

There may be different interpretations of the decision taken by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to comply with request of the Kuwaiti side concerning dispatch of a Ukrainian specialist troops' battalion.

Nevertheless, one can state unequivocally the following.

At the request of Kuwaiti side the CNSD of Ukraine at its session has made the decision to dispatch a Ukrainian specialist troops' battalion to Kuwait for the sake of the resolving thereby of purely humanitarian problems associated providing assistance to civilians in case if, God forbid, weapons of mass destruction are used.

The Supreme Council of Ukraine ratified the relevant agreement with Kuwait. This document straightforwardly regulates the legal status, as well as the purpose and conditions of its deployment. This document precisely determines the legal status, purposes and tasks of the Ukrainian battalion.

Its task is solely to protect civilians against aftermath of use of weapons of mass destruction on the territory of Kuwait. Besides, under no circumstances the Ukrainian contingent will take part in hostilities.

So, the only duty of the battalion will be to provide humanitarian assistance to Kuwaiti civilians in case weapon of mass destruction are used and to liquidate probable negative humanitarian aftermath of their employment.

This is its humanitarian duty and, besides, this is determined by the Ukrainian - Kuwaiti agreement.

In this sense we are members of the coalition.