PRESS BRIEFING WITH PRESIDENT KUCHMA
PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE

April 9, 2003

During his official visit to the Republic of Tajikistan President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma answered journalists' questions. Representatives of mass media were especially interested in the position of the Head of the Ukrainian State on the war in Iraq and the death of Ukrainian journalist Taras Protsiuk.

Talking about the death of our countryman - correspondent of the Reuters News Agency Taras Protsiuk, President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma noted:

"My attitude towards Reuters is that of a great respect. This information agency covers the events taking place in the world absolutely frankly and openly.

As to the death of a journalist who worked for this agency - a citizen of Ukraine, I can offer my sincere condolences and say that such journalists are always in the front line. A war is a word which should become obsolete. Today the world community proved absolutely unable not only to make this world obsolete, but also to prevent it in the future.

A war should not be used as an instrument of settling international problems. I can only regret that the world has not found anything more civilized, and I can say that all of us will become somewhat different after this war finishes.

We will try to do our best to make the loss less bitter for the family, but nothing can compensate such a loss," noted Leonid Kuchma.

Answering journalists' questions about further existence of the CIS, President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma as Head of the Council of the CIS States noted: "Let's reflect on the necessity of this structure, and if it has accomplished its mission, let's disperse. But everyone agrees that this structure is necessary."

The President of Ukraine pointed out: "We agreed to sign an agreement on a free trade zone in September. Let's go over from declarations to concrete steps."

In Leonid Kuchma's words, "This organization will be advantageous and will have future if we take concrete steps and if we act in the interests of all the members of the Commonwealth in the economy instead of serving to political interests. In that case our political interests will also be more or less common."