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Ukrainian peacekeepers will be withdrawn from Iraq irrespective the results of the presidential elections scheduled for October 31, said Georgy Kryuchkov, chairman of the parliament’s committee for national security.
Kryuchkov said the parliament should debate three draft laws on the pullout of the Ukrainian contingent from Iraq. One of them envisions the immediate recall of all Ukrainian servicemen from Iraq, and the two others focus on the gradual reduction of Ukrainian peacekeepers.
The lawmaker believes, “It is necessary to work out a new for | Ads |  |
m of Ukraine’s presence in Iraq – to withdraw the military contingent and deploy specialists dealing with the economy in the country.” On September 28, Ukraine’s National Security Council supported Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma’s proposal to gradually reduce the peacekeeping contingent in Iraq.
As of today there are over 1,600 Ukrainian servicemen deployed in the province of Vasit, 120-140 kilometres of Baghdad. During the rotation, the number of the contingent will be reduced till 200 people.
Nine Ukrainian servicemen died during the stay in Iraq (August 2003).
KIEV, October 16 (Itar-Tass)
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