FOR THE RECORD: Television address by Kuchma on battalion's deployment (03/30/03)

FOR THE RECORD: Television address by Kuchma on battalion's deployment

Following is the text of the March 20 TV address of President Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine on the occasion of the Verkhovna Rada's approval of a decision to send a Ukrainian NBC protection battalion to Kuwait.

My Dear Fellow Citizens:

Today the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine decided to send a Ukrainian NBC protection battalion to Kuwait. As commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, I gave order to redeploy this unit.

The position of Ukraine remains definite and unchanged: we are against the war. Practically each Ukrainian family lost someone during the last one - World War II. That is why, who better than we knows that war must be avoided at any price, and by any means.

Regretfully, as often has happened in the history of humankind, diplomacy in this situation suffered a fiasco. Now is the time when arms talk.

We remain devoted to our strategic partnership, first of all with the United States of America. We are members of the anti-terrorist coalition and regard it our major obligation to fight this evil - the worst one in the 21st century. We regret, however, the failure to solve this problem within the framework of possibilities offered by international organizations.

I would like to underline that in no case shall our unit participate in military actions. Its high mission is strictly humanitarian: to provide assistance to the civilian population, should weapons of mass destruction be used.

The invitation of our forces is not only a recognition of their skills and world-level training. Ukraine has unique experience by world standards in liquidation of the man-made and ecological catastrophe of 1986 in Chornobyl. That's why no one knows better than we what the real threat of nuclear contamination is and how to save people in such conditions, let alone the world threat of ecological disaster which if it happens, many God forbid it, will reach practically every country on our planet.

These are not novices being sent to Kuwait. Among the servicemen are many who directly participated in military actions and peacekeeping operations under the aegis of international organizations. Nevertheless, we shall hope their professional skills and abilities are not required during the conflict. Ukraine is already doing and shall do its best to provide for our military men. I have given instructions to our government to take appropriate decisions.

Men, now I would like to address you directly: wherever you are, you should feel that Ukraine is with you, and beside you. We shall be with you constantly; we shall wait for your return home and shall pray for the safe completion of the war for each of you.

But you have to be aware: wherever you are you represent the country, the flag and reputation of Ukraine.

May God help you.

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