Head of Presidential Administration commented on the
note of Ukraine to the United States of America
regarding allegations that Ukraine might be involved
in weapons trade

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE

October 11, 2002

Commenting on the note of Ukraine to the United States of America regarding American allegations that Ukraine had intended to sell antiaircraft system "Kolchuha" to Iraq, Head of Presidential Administration Viktor Medvedchuk stated: "Following allegations brought against Ukraine by American officials, the Administration of the President of Ukraine addressed Kyiv research institution of forensic expertise at the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine with a request to carry out an expert investigation of audiotapes presumably containing conversations of Ukrainian leaders about the sale of "Kolchuha" systems to Iraq in violation of the UN sanctions. Having carried out technical examinations and analysis the experts came to the conclusion that the recordings had been made by montage and that technically it was impossible to authenticate the tapes. Therefore, it can be concluded that the American officials, who made reference to the recordings made in dmr format (that is, recordings on digital medium) pointing out their authenticity, were deluded. Aspiring to remove the stain from Ukraine's good image, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs addressed the United States with a note stating the results of the above-mentioned research proving groundlessness of accusations brought against Ukraine. We support the propositions of Ukrainian experts to create an international commission consisting of highly qualified experts to clarify all the discrepancies on this issue." - said the Head of Presidential Administration.