Yushchenko journeys to Iraq on eve of Ukrainian peacekeepers' pullout (01/08/06)

Yushchenko journeys to Iraq on eve of Ukrainian peacekeepers' pullout

KYIV - President Viktor Yushchenko traveled on a one-day working visit to Iraq on December 26, 2005, and visited the Delta base in Al-Kut, where he noted that Ukrainian peacekeepers had completely fulfilled their mission. The following day, the last of Ukraine's troops left Iraq.

"Two and a half years ago we predictably appeared in Iraq. Today, the Ukrainian troops are leaving the country, having adjusted their withdrawal with all partners," President Yushchenko said, according to the Ukrinform news service.

The last mechanized column of military vehicles of the Ukrainian peacekeeping contingent arrived in Kuwait on December 27, having left Iraq. The column consisted of eight vehicles and 44 servicemen.

Ukraine's military presence in Iraq is now limited to some 50 military personnel, councilors and instructors, who will train the Iraqi military. The group arrived at the Delta Camp on December 20, 2005.

President Yushchenko noted that the Ukrainian contingent "is leaving a friendly country" and underscored that "the big mission" of Ukraine in Iraq had attained its political purpose. "During the Ukrainian mission stationing in Iraq the two countries established economic, trade and political relations," he added.

The president praised the activities of the Ukrainian peacekeepers in Iraq, noting that they had assisted in staging the referendum on the adoption of the Iraqi Constitution and the December 15, 2005, parliamentary elections. These events, Mr. Yushchenko said, "have laid the foundation of political government in Iraq."

President Yushchenko honored the memory of 18 Ukrainian soldiers, who died in Iraq since August 2003, and he presented military decorations to Ukrainian troops.

Reflecting on Ukraine's involvement in Iraq, Mr. Yushchenko said Ukraine has significantly strengthened its position on the international arena. "Practically no political conflict" is regulated without Ukraine's presence, and "Ukraine is trusted," the president noted.

Mr. Yushchenko also noted that Ukrainian troops had professionally trained 6,000 Iraqi soldiers. They made a significant contribution to humanitarian development of the Wasit province, building 16 schools, renovating seven kindergartens, repaired four highways and fixed three electricity cables lines. They also restored four water-supply facilities and gave medical aid to 40,000 Iraqis. "The Ukrainian peacekeepers are leaving this country as partners and friends," he said.

Ukrinform also reported that President Yushchenko spoke for closer cooperation between Ukraine and Iraq. Apart from military cooperation, the two countries could start cooperation in the energy sphere, water power, water resources and machine building. "I think real economic cooperation will begin after today's meeting with [Iraq's] prime minister," Mr. Yushchenko said.

As the Iraqi economy awakens, Ukrainian-Iraqi relations "could be much closer," Mr. Yushchenko noted. Commodity turnover between the countries has grown to $100 million (U.S.) per year, but it could be even greater. By comparison, he said, in 1998 trade turnover between the two states was $ 1.5 million and there were no economic ties between the countries.

Touching on current "active cooperation projects" between Ukraine and Iraq, Mr. Yushchenko mentioned a recently signed agreement on supplying more than 2,000 KrAZ automobiles to Iraq. The two countries have also started negotiating agricultural projects and programs to explore and produce oil and gas.

During his visit to Iraq, President Yushchenko also met with Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari. The Iraqi leaders thanked Ukraine for the high professionalism of its peacekeepers, noting that security matters are acute and important for Iraq, and pointing out that it is hard to overestimate Ukrainian peacekeepers' contribution to ensuring peace and stability in the country.

Mr. Yushchenko stated that Ukraine is ready to increase its participation in the reconstruction of Iraq's transportation network, prospecting for oil and gas fields, restoring the water-supply and training Iraqi specialists. Furthermore, Ukraine is interested in supplying agricultural vehicles, cargo and passenger planes. He also said Ukraine is ready to welcome an Iraqi diplomatic mission to Ukraine.

As a result of the meeting between Messrs. Yushchenko and al-Jaafari the prime minister will go to Ukraine in May, at which time an action plan between Ukraine and Iraq will be signed with the aim of promoting relations between the two countries.

Also while in Iraq, President Yushchenko met at Baghdad International Airport with Deputy Commander of the Multinational Forces in Iraq Nick Houghton.

Commander Houghton praised Ukraine's peacekeepers for their professional skills and meritorious service, as well as their contribution to training Iraqi military and paramilitary servicemen.

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